How do you distinguish between Por and Para?

Question

I am having a tough time in school telling these two apart, when they are soupposed to be used

Answer 1

This is one of the top three most difficult things to learn, along with the subjunctive and the difference between ser and estar.

I watched the video lesson here and it was soooo useful. Repetition is the best thing

Answer 2

It is definitely something that you learn by experience but there are several steps that help.

Para: is used for objectives and can literally mean "in order to"... It could also mean doing something for somebody but not instead of them

Por: could mean that you are doing something instead of somebody or in their place... also is used for measurements of time (Ej. me quedé por 5 minutos. I stayed for 5 minutes)

there are several other steps but those are the basics

Answer 3

This is a summary of Paralee's and Eddy's detailed explanations in the Reference section: http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/100035/para-and-por

Hope it helps!

A. PARA

Para indicates 1) a purpose, 2) a recipient, 3) an opinion, 4) a destination, 5) a deadline, 6) a standard.

1) Purpose (in order to)

* Estudio el español para hablar con gente de Argentia. (I study Spanish in order to talk to people from Argentina.

2) Recipient (for)

* Este pastel es para mi madre. (This cake is for my mother.)

3) Opinion (for, according to)

* Para mí, el español es más romántico que el italiano. (For me, Spanish is more romantic than Italian.)

4) Destination (for)

* Este cuadro es para un museo en Madrid. (This painting is for a museum in Madrid.)

5) Deadline (for, by, on)

* Esta tarea es para mañana. (This homework is for tomorrow.)

6) Standard (for)

* Esta es deliciosa para una hamburguesa barata. (This is delicious for a cheap hamburger.)

B. POR

Por is generally seen as the exchange or movement between two points to indicate 1) a duration of time, 2) a reason for doing something, 3) an emotion, 4) an exchange of items, 5) a mode of communication or transportation, 6) a substitution.

1) Duration (for)

* Viajamos en coche por ocho horas. (We traveled by car for eight hours.)

2) Reason or Motive (because of)

* Por su amor de español, siempre lo estudiaba. (Because of his love for Spanish, he always studied it.)

3) Emotion (for)

* Tengo tanto amor por ti. (I have so much love for you.)

4) Exchange (for)

* Pagué $60 por estos zapátos. (I paid $60 for these shoes.)

5) Mode of Communication or Transportation/Movement (by, on, through)

* Viajamos por tren a Italia. (We travel by train to Italy.)

6) Substitution (for, instead of)

* Hay una maestra reemplazante por Señora Martinez hoy. (There is a substitute teacher for Mrs. Martinez today.)

Answer 4

Go take a look in the reference section here...

As you use them more and more it will fall into place. I had difficulty with them too in the beginning.

Quickie: por is utilized in exchange for goods and services...