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"De" is a form of "de", a preposition which is often translated as "from". "Para" is a form of "para", a preposition which is often translated as "for". Learn more about the difference between "de" and "para" below.
de(
deh
)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. from
Mis padres vienen de Nicaragua.My parents are from Nicaragua.
a. of
Esta mesa está hecha de plástico.This table is made of plastic.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Te recojo en el coche de mi padre.I'll come get you in my father's car.
¿Esa no es la casa de Susana?Isn't that Susana's house?
a. of
La comida era de gran calidad.The food was of great quality.
a. of
Andrés siempre llevaba una bolsa de canicas.Andres always carried around a bag of marbles.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Voy a comprar otro traje de baño para el verano.I'm going to buy another bathing suit for the summer.
Se usa la palanca de cambios para cambiar las marchas.You use the gear shift to change the gears.
a. in
Es mejor trabajar de mañana.It is better to work in the morning.
a. with
Me sorprendí llorando de pena al pensar en él.I caught myself crying with sorrow when I thought of him.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. d
¿Dijiste la letra de o te?Did you say the letter d or t?
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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.).
preposition
a. for
Lo hice para ti.I did it for you.
Estas vitaminas son para niños.These vitamins are for children.
a. for (used before a gerund)
Lo quiero para cocinar la pasta.I want it for cooking the pasta.
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.
a. for
Salimos mañana para Londres.We are leaving for London tomorrow.
b. to
¿Para dónde se dirige ese tren?Where is that train going to?
a. for
Tengo que encontrar un compañero de apartamento para el mes que viene.I need to find a roommate for next month.
b. by
Tenemos que entregar el trabajo para fin de mes.We have to hand the work in by the end of the month.
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