How do you say "for" en espanol, as in for a person?

Question

I want to know how to say the word "for" is Spanish, but I can't figure out if you would say por, para, or what else if you wanted to say something was FOR a person.

Hey Paco, welcome to the forum :) - Kiwi-Girl, May 30, 2011

You might find this helpful :) http://www.bowdoin.edu/~eyepes/newgr/porpara.htm - Kiwi-Girl, May 30, 2011

There is a lot more to "por" and "para" that's too long to post here quickly. A link was perfect for something like this. - GuitarWarrior, May 30, 2011

Answer 1

If you feel an emotion for a person, then you express "for" with "por".

Juán hizo de tripas corazón y se le entregó lo restante de su vida a Karin por medio del santísimo matrimonio, pero Karin no lo quiso. El inmenso amor de Karin era por Bruce.

Juan gathered the courage and offered the rest of his life to Karen through holy matrimony, but Karen denied. Her immense love was for Bruce.

When you have a material object for someone, then you use "para"

¡Esta hamburguesa es para mí! ¡Consigue la tuya!

This hamburger is mine! Get your own!

good clarification thanks GW :) - Kiwi-Girl, May 30, 2011

I'll add the word 'things' to mine just to make it clearer :) - Kiwi-Girl, May 30, 2011

I just had a look at your profile and I 'm so impressed by the way you explain grammatical things so well for such a young person - hats off to you, you're already proving yourself to be a great asset to this forum - Kiwi-Girl, May 30, 2011

Well I try. I learn a lot just by stopping and looking at the forums. You're so kind. Thanks so much Kiwi Girl! - GuitarWarrior, May 30, 2011

el placer es mío :) - Kiwi-Girl, May 30, 2011

That reminds me, my profile is out of date! Jajaja! I'm not really going to change it that much though. - GuitarWarrior, May 30, 2011

Answer 2

Para - use with things going to a destination even if the destination is a person.