vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Pa" is a form of "pa", a noun which is often translated as "dad". "Para" is a form of "para", a preposition which is often translated as "for". Learn more about the difference between "pa" and "para" below.
el pa(
pah
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (colloquial) (relative) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. dad (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Pa, ¿puedo usar el coche esta noche?Dad, can I use the car tonight?
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
2. (colloquial) (preposition)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
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.
