Spanish for Beginners ;Using Por.
Using "Por" .
Por is one of the most useful and common prepositions in Spanish, but it can also be one of the most confusing to English speakers. That is because it is sometimes translated as "for," as is the preposition para, and they are very seldom interchangeable.
As a beginner, it is probably best to learn the two prepositions separately and to think of por as a preposition that usually indicates cause or motive, rather than simply as a translation for "for." (It also often means "by," but it isn't the only Spanish preposition translated that way.) So in the examples of por usage that are given below, a translation (sometimes awkward) using a word or phrase other than "for" is given, in addition to a translation using "for" (where appropriate).
By learning how por is used rather than how it is usually translated, you will find it easier to learn in the long run.
**Here, then, are the most common uses of* por:***
To indicate the cause of or reason for something: In such usages, por can often be translated as "because of."
- Examples:
¿Por qué? (Why? Because of what? For what?) Trabajo aquí por el dinero. (I work here because of the money. I work here for the money.) No podemos salir por la lluvia. (We cannot leave because of the rain. We cannot leave due to the rain.) Conseguí el empleo por mi padre. (I got the job because of my father. I got the job through my father.)
To indicate support for or action on behalf of some person or cause:
- Examples:
Voto por Julia González. (I am voting for Julia Gonzales. I am voting in support of Julia Gonzalez.) Es socio de Médicos Por Justicia. (He is a member of Doctors for Justice. He is a member of Doctors Supporting Justice.) Mi padre está por no violencia. (My father is for nonviolence. My father is a supporter of nonviolence.) Es el representante por el estado de Nueva York. (He's the representative for the state of New York. He's the representative on behalf of the state of New York.)
To indicate an exchange of some sort: One common use of this type is indicating how much something cost.
- Examples:
Compré el coche por $10.000 dólares.(I bought the car for $10,000. I bought the car in exchange for $10,000.) Gracias por la comida. (Thanks for the meal.) Quisiera cambiar la camisa por una nueva. (I'd like to exchange the shirt for a new one.)
Try to give some examples using 'por'.
9 Answers
Andamos por el bosque y vimos un tulipán.
We walked through the forest and saw a tulip.
Él está dispuesto luchar por el amor de ambos.
He is ready to fight for the love of both.
Following on ;
To indicate being in a place:In such uses, por doesn't indicate a destination, but rather proximity or placement. It is often translated as "by" or "through."
- Examples:
Pasaremos por San Francisco. (We will pass through San Francisco.) *La escuela no está por aquí. (The school isn't near here.)
As a translation for "per": In informal contexts, a translation of "for" rather than "per" is common in English.
- Examples:
El tres por ciento tiene dos coches. (Three percent have two cars.) Compré dos regalos por persona. (I bought two gifts per person. I bought two gifts for each person.) Trabajo 40 horas por semana. (I work 40 hours per week. I work 40 hours a week.)
To mean "by" when it points to someone performing an action: Common uses are indicating the author of a book or other work, or indicating the performer of a passive verb.
- Examples:
Fue escrito por William Shakespeare. (It was written by William Shakespeare.) Los tacos fueron comidos por los estudiantes. (The tacos were eaten by the students.) Prefiero el libro por Isaac Asimov. (I prefer the book by Isaac Asimov.)* Puedo estudiar por mí mismo.* (I study all by myself.)
In certain set phrases: Such phrases are commonly used as adverbs. The meaning of such phrases isn't always obvious by translating the words individually.
- Examples:
por cierto (by the way), por lo general (generally), por supuesto (of course), por otra parte (on the other hand),* por fin* (finally), por lo menos (at least)
To indicate being in a place:In such uses, por doesn't indicate a destination, but rather proximity or placement. It is often translated as "by" or "through."
Pasaremos por San Francisco. (We will pass through San Francisco.) *La escuela no está por aquí. (The school isn't near here.)
As a translation for "per": In informal contexts, a translation of "for" rather than "per" is common in English.
El tres por ciento tiene dos coches. (Three percent have two cars.) Compré dos regalos por persona. (I bought two gifts per person. I bought two gifts for each person.) Trabajo 40 horas por semana. (I work 40 hours per week. I work 40 hours a week.)
To mean "by" when it points to someone performing an action: Common uses are indicating the author of a book or other work, or indicating the performer of a passive verb.
Fue escrito por William Shakespeare. (It was written by William Shakespeare.) Los tacos fueron comidos por los estudiantes. (The tacos were eaten by the students.) Prefiero el libro por Isaac Asimov. (I prefer the book by Isaac Asimov.)* Puedo estudiar por mí mismo.* (I study all by myself.)
In certain set phrases: Such phrases are commonly used as adverbs. The meaning of such phrases isn't always obvious by translating the words individually.
por cierto (by the way), por lo general (generally), por supuesto (of course), por otra parte (on the other hand),* por fin* (finally), por lo menos (at least)
When he arrived at his friend's birthday party he realized that he had forgotten to bring the birthday presents for his friend.
Cuándo llegó a la fiesta de cumpleaños de su amiga se dio cuenta de que había olvidado traer los regalos de cumpleaños para su amiga.
Para is used whenever you are referring to the recipient (the person who has received something) or in order to give something to someone! 
His friend responded, " Don't worry about (on account of) anything! Thank you very much for coming ...and you can bring the presents next time you come!"
Su amiga respondió ?¡no te preócupes por nada! Muchas gracias por venir ...¡y puedes traer los regalos la próxima vez!?
Por is used to give a reason for doing something, ie:because of/on account of...
Corrijan mi español si es necesario, por favor 
Gracias por los regalos , eres muy amable.
Thank you for the gifts, you're very kind.
Muchas gracias por este hilo, Ray! Es muy útil.
Thank you very much for this thread, Ray! It's very useful.
Aquí es un regalo por para ti Ray.
There is also quite a bunch of idioms usually beginning with por, I have about 10 or 12 simple ones that I can put up tomorrow. I've got to get to bed now, but I'll edit this answer and give a bunch of examples.
Buenas noches, ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz----
Big Edit.
Buenos Días. Here are some idioms with “por.”
(1) Por supuesto …….Of course.
(2) Por lo tanto……..Therefore
(3) Por Dios……..For the sake of God. This is a phrase that beggars use. That’s why they are called “Pordioseros.”
(4) Por amor…….For love’s sake.
(5) Por la mañana, Por la tarde, Por la noche…….In the morning, afternoon, evening.
(6) Por delante…..From the front
(7) Por detrás…..From the rear (behind)
(8) Por unidad …….Each …………… Las manzanas cuestan noventa centavos por unidad.
(9) Por semana……. Weekly
10 Dos por dos son cuatro…..Two times two are four.
(11) Voy por pan = Voy en busca de pan………..I’m going for bread.
An old chestnut worth chomping on.
