5 Steps to Understanding Por Vs Para. Great for beginners and advanced students of Spanish.
Understanding Por Vs Para.
5 steps to understanding Por V Para
From" spanishdict" , posted in Facebook
In any language, prepositions seem to have no logic to them. Often, the rules just have to be memorized. For example, in English, when we say “at” home vs. “in” the house. Besides the subjunctive mood, perhaps one of the most challenging concepts for the non-native Spanish speaker to master is understanding when to use por and when to use para – both translating to “for” in English. However, when it comes to the Spanish por and para, you’re in luck! There are multiple rules to help you know which one to use.
1. It’s more than a translation
Even though your trusty Spanish-English dictionary will list “for” as the definition of both por and para, their use goes well beyond the direct English translation. It’s all about context. Even in English, while we may use “for” in multiple instances, it can convey a different meaning.
For example:
I am looking for that book for you.
Even though the word “for” is used twice in this sentence, it serves two different functions. The first “for” can be restated as: “I am looking in order to find that book." On the other hand, the second part of the sentence “for you” does not mean that I am looking in order to find you, but that “I am looking on behalf of you.”
It’s a subtle difference, but understanding this in English will help you understand when to use por and when to use para in Spanish.
2. Understand Cause vs. Effect
A trick to understanding when to use por and when to use para is knowing which is associated with cause and which is associated with effect.
Basically:
por ? cause para ? effect
This might be a little confusing at first so let’s use some examples.
Imagine you’re working at a company with Alvaro, and you both have the same boss, Marisol. To talk about your boss, you would both say:
Trabajo para Marisol. (I work for Marisol)
In this instance, to say “I work for Marisol” is the same as “I am looking for that book.” Marisol and the book are the “effect” of the situations.
Now, if Alvaro was to call in sick and you had to cover for him on a project, you would say:
Trabajo por Alvaro. (I work for/on behalf of Alvaro)
In this instance, to say “I work for Alvaro” is the same as “I am looking on behalf of you.” Alvaro is the reason why--the cause--for you to be working. In general, para is used when a statement calls for “in order to” and por is used when a statement calls for “on behalf of.” This might be a little difficult to understand at first, but just think about why the action is occurring. Are you working to produce results for your boss (para)? Or are you working on behalf of your sick coworker (por)?
3. Differentiate Travel vs. Destination
In Spanish, por and** para** can be used to describe travel or motion. A simple to rule remember when to use the the two propositions is:
Por refers to travel/motion through a place or location. Para refers to the destination of a journey.
For example:
Salimos por la puerta. (I leave through the door.) Viajamos para el Caribe. (We travel to the Caribbean.)
In the first example, la puerta is how we go to the destination – what we go through. In the second example, el caribe is my destination – what we go to.
4. Know Duration vs. Deadline
This is probably the easiest rule to master. When talking about how long it took to accomplish something, or how long it took to go somewhere, use por.
For example:
Conduje por dos horas. (I drove for two hours.)
Finally, when talking about a deadline for an action, use para.
For example:
Estos deberes son **para **el lunes. (This homework is for Monday.)
Whether it’s doing homework, driving, walking, or traveling, whenever a statement refers to duration, use por. When a statement refers to a deadline, use para.
5. Review the first four rules!
Understanding por vs. para is one of the best ways to improve your Spanish proficiency. With these rules, you will for sure be on your way to having a better grasp of one of the more challenging concepts for non-native speakers.
Happy learning!
8 Answers
I think that is a very nice discussion of the subtleties, and the places where English speaking Spanish learners get confused. It looks very good to me.
One helpful point I once saw was to remember it all by thinking of para as a one way arrow (-->
, and por as a two way arrow (<-->.
so por would be- in exchange for, in trade for, in place of, through, etc.
para- for the ultimate purpose or end of, for the destination of, by the endpoint of, etc.
Just a simple mental image to hang the more complex descriptions on.
Here is a picture with a similar, although not quite the same, thought.
A mistake in section (4) it was doubled ,now fixed
well spotted by our good friend J R con los ojos afilados.
Gracias amigo.
And how about durante
It's a great explanation, thanks a lot. However, I've been struggling to get it right for years!! The subtleties of the differences are just too subtle for my simple mind and I constantly get it wrong. When speaking Spanish, I have to pause before I say "por" or "Para" nearly every time, whilst my brain goes into a mad juggling act before I vocalise the word. Occasionally I say the right one, but it is always a nightmare!!! Can I get a brain transplant please?
I am not quite right with this, need more work.
The more I think about this, the more confused I become, or so it seems. This morning my daughter brought me strawberries from the farmers market. I said "Gracias." So, was it "para" or "por" las fresas?
Don't forget that in addition to these general rules, there are around a hundred expressions with por and para. like:
Por si acaso
Por detrás
Estar para
Estar por
(just to give a few examples)
There is a teaching on this on SD. Here's the link.
Link to advanced expressions with por/para
All those members who find this difficult you are not alone , but it will gradually
become automatic and commonplace; Or so I have been told , so don't give up
