Te lo compré vs lo compré para ti
I was confused as to which one is correct or if both are. If I want to say "I bought it for you' is it "Te lo compré" or "lo compré para ti". I also heard that Te lo compré can mean I bought it from you. That part I don't understand as well. How does it mean from?
5 Answers
They are both correct, but I would prefer, "para ti".
As an aside, what do you think it would mean if it were "por ti"?
I won't give you the opportunity to answer. It would mean "for you" also. HOWEVER, it's like he was going to buy it, but you were at the store first and you bought "it" in his stead. In other words, you picked it up for him". It wasn't a gift, is was a favor.
Oops! I posted my answer without answering the second part. Yes, it can mean "from". It depends on the context. I tend to use "vender" here. "Me lo vendiste".
Lo compré para ti would only be I bought it for you.
Te lo compré could be understood as I bought it for you but also I bought it from you.
Compré un libro para ti. I bought a book for you.
Substituting it would be:
Lo compré para ti or Te lo compré.
Compré un libro a Juan. Le compré un libro or Se lo compré.
Te compré un libro (a ti) Te lo compré.
Then as you may see Te lo compré has the two meanings.
Te lo compré is probably a more common structure and it emphasises the action of buying.
Lo compré para ti sounds slightly more elementary to my ear, however, in the proper context it emphasises the recipient (for whom the thing was purchased), in which case sounds OK.
"Te lo compré" and "Lo compré para ti" convey exactly the same, but emphasis exists in daily life. That would be the only difference between them. It depends on the context whether you choose to use one or the other.
Examples:
¿Este es el reloj que yo quería? (Is that the watch I ever wanted?) - Sí, te lo compré. (Yes, I bought it for you). [Note that "Te lo compré" is neutral and fits very well when you already know what the conversation is about. Here, the purchase itself is what's really important].
"Toma, lo compré para ti" (Here you are, I bought it for you). [Note that here "te" is replaced by "para ti". That adds an important emphasis. You are remarking for whom is what you just bought. So here "for you" is what's really important].
On the other hand, "te lo compré" could be understood as "I bought it FOR you" or "I bought it from you". At first sight it appears to be confusing, but I assure you it is not because the context usually provides the elements to figure out what you said. Anyway, as a support, we can use "para ti" (for you) or "a ti" (from you) when further clarification is needed.
Examples:
"Esta tarta te la compré" (I bought this cake for you) [If you are talking to a friend of yours who is completely unable to even boil and egg with an egg-boiler, you wouldn't need to clarify and "para ti" (for you) is easily understood. Nevertheless, if you are having a conversation with the local baker, "from you" will be clearly implied].
Anyway if you go through a situation where "te la compré" is not immediately understood, despite the context, then you just add "a ti" or "para ti" and that would be generally more than enough.
I hope it helps.
