por mí vs para mí

Question

I don't understand why one sentence is with por and the other with para.

Para mí, el español es más romántico que el italiano. (source: spanishdict.com, grammar, prepositions)

Por mí haz lo que quieras (source: a new reference grammar of modern spanish, John Butt, 34.14.4, p 441)

Thanks, por and para still confuses me. A lot of exposure is probably the only remedy.

If you look on Q A there are two posts giving lessons on this . - ray76, Sep 15, 2016

Answer 1

Here is little "quickie" chart to help you get started.

But there is soooo much more.

In your first sentence "Para mí" can be translated as "for my part" or even in my opinion.

The second sentence if you turn it around and say "Haz lo que quieras por mí." It means "Do what you can for my benefit.", which is a little bit similar to the paying for something or giving thanks for something.

:) - ian-hill, Sep 15, 2016

Yes, in those standard situations like the onces above I know how to use them - BenVP, Sep 16, 2016

the book I referenced by john butt gives as translation for the second sentence: "as far as I'm concerned do what you like" which confuses me because it's the same as "for my part" thanks anyway! - BenVP, Sep 16, 2016

Maybe the " por mi" in the second example is just old spanish - BenVP, Sep 16, 2016

Answer 2

Para mí, el español es más romántico que el italiano. (source: spanishdict.com, grammar, prepositions)

This is the same as in English: For me, Spanish is ............

Por mí haz lo que quieras (source: a new reference grammar of modern spanish, John Butt, 34.14.4, p 441)

I can understand why this is confusing for you, it sounds strange because of an apparant incomplete phrase at the beginning. For me, it´s more natural to say: Por mi manera de pensar / ver, deberías hacer lo que quieras.

To say this as imperative, it´s more natural to just say the demand without any cualification: Haz lo que quieras.

Answer 3

Welcome to SD.

You have not done any lessons.

Click here for the SD video lesson on Por and Para.

Click here all the lessons.

The uses of Por and Para are usually given over a long period of time so that the student doesn't get all flustered with a big pile of rules all at once. - Daniela2041, Sep 15, 2016

However Paralee's acronyms help tremendously. It would be well for the student, to view and practice this lesson many times until he/she gets the "feel" of it. - Daniela2041, Sep 15, 2016

I would just like a learner to make use of the great lessons we have on SD. They might not even know they are there. - ian-hill, Sep 15, 2016

Don Ian: It's like giving a man a fish so he can eat a meal, opposed to teaching a man how to fish. Most of those who question us, only want the one fish. But I give my time and effort for the benefit of all the others who participate consistently - Daniela2041, Sep 16, 2016

Thanks all for the many places to fish & the ways to cook them. - oledog, Sep 17, 2016