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"Para" is a form of "para", a preposition which is often translated as "for". "Ahí" is an adverb which is often translated as "there". Learn more about the difference between "ahí" and "para" below.
ahí(
ah
-
ee
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. there
La vi bailando por ahí hace unos minutos.I saw her dancing over there a few minutes ago.
¡Ahí está mi cartera!There's my wallet!
a. then
De ahí en adelante, el perro le tenía miedo al agua.From then on, the dog was scared of water.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ahí mismo decidí que nunca volvería.I decided right there and then that I'd never go back.
Ahí es cuándo me di cuenta de que me estaban estafando.That's when I realized that I was being scammed.
a. just
Ahí llamé al banco, y me solucionaron el problema con la cuenta.I just called the bank and they sorted the problem with my account.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Creo que tocaron la puerta. ¡Ahí voy!I think someone's knocking on the door. I'm coming!
Ahí voy a hacer la compra.I'm just going to get the groceries.
para(
pah
-
rah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. for
Lo hice para ti.I did it for you.
Estas vitaminas son para niños.These vitamins are for children.
b. in order to (used before an infinitive)
Para ser salvavidas, tienes que saber nadar muy bien.In order to be a lifeguard, you have to know how to swim really well.
c. to (used before base form)
Le pedí dinero a mi abuela para aprender a cantar.I asked my grandma for money to learn to sing.
