vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Por" is a preposition which is often translated as "by", and "consistir en" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to consist of". Learn more about the difference between "por" and "consistir en" below.
por(
pohr
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
5. (by way of)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Has ido a por tu hijo a la escuela?Have you picked up your son from school?
Habrá que ir a por leche cuando lleguemos.We'll need to go out for milk when we get there.
8. (for each)
10. (in place of)
a. for
Yo terminaré el trabajo por ti cuando estés de vacaciones.I'll finish the job for you while you're on vacation.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Está por verse.That remains to be seen.
El asunto está por resolverse.The issue is yet to be resolved.
consistir en(
kohn
-
sees
-
teer
ehn
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to consist of
En estos momentos, mi vida consiste en trabajar, dormir, y comer.My life consists of working, sleeping, and eating at the moment.
a. to lie in
El único interés del libro consiste en que relata una historia real.The only interest of the book lies in that it narrates a real story.
b. to consist in
El truco consiste en no ponerse nervioso y concentrarse en lo que se está haciendo.The secret consists in not getting nervous and concentrating on what you're doing.
c. to involve
La labor de la ONG consiste en llevar agua a las zonas del país afectadas por la sequía.The NGO's work involves taking water to those areas of the country affected by the drought.
d. to entail
El juego es muy sencillo, consiste en identificar lo que la otra persona está dibujando.The game is very simple. It entails identifying what the other person is drawing.
