Por vs Para in Giving Context

Question

I'm still confused about "por" vs "para" in one context -- when you are saying "for him" or "for her." All of the online translators give me mixed results... Which should I use in this context? Example sentences: I bought a gift for him. I get a sweater for her.

Thanks!

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Answer 1

In this setting por and para mean different things- para typically is the end result,por is in the place of :

Compré un regalo para él. I bought a gift for him, he is the end destination, who the gift is being given to. This is the normal situation.

Compré un regalo por él. I bought a gift for him, in his stead, he couldn't afford it, he didn't have time to go to the store, he didn't know what to buy, whatever. He doesn't end up with the gift, he gives it to someone else ( it is "para"someone else)- but I had to buy it because for some reason he couldn't do that, so I made the purchase in his place.

Similiar to :

Canté para él- I sang for his listening pleasure- he was the audience.

Canté por él- I sang because he couldn't, he was supposed to, but he lost his voice, he was sick, whatever, so I took his place.

Answer 2

With these verbs, "comprar" and "conseguir" you can avoid "por/para" totally.

I bought a gift for him. "Le compré un regalo a él" (the 'a él) is not really necessary but it is a clarifier saying specifically 'for him')

I get a sweater for her. "Le consigo un suéter a ella." ('a ella' is the clarifier here.)

I agree, this is the most natural way - 005faa61, Apr 3, 2015

Answer 3

Por v Para Link

This is the SD lesson for basic "Por v Para" it is excellent please take a look.

Answer 4

Hello MDBirder,

Welcome to the SpanishDict forum

You can also say, using para:

ex 1.He comprado / Compré.... un regalo para él. = I bought a present for him.(ie: to give to him)

In this first context you are talking about/ or referring to: giving someone a gift so para is always used rather than por when referring to the recipient of a gift!

ex 2.He comprado/ Compré. ..un regalo por él. = I bought a present for him. (ie: On behalf of him)

This is also another meaning of the English word for which is why you are getting mixed messages!

This second sentence is translating the idea of doing something for ( ie: on behalf of / in place of) someone else; perhaps because they are not in a position to do it themselves.(They are working, or are ill) in this context you would always use por rather than para to translate in place of/on behalf of ...

I hope this helps : )

By the way, to any reader, I did not read Bosque's post before posting mine, I was already aware of the uses of por vs para :) - FELIZ77, Apr 4, 2015

Answer 5

bumping

Para que ayudarla. - ray76, Apr 5, 2015