Por vs Para
Por y para
Use por for cause, exchange, duration, and movement through a place; use para for purpose, destination, recipients, and deadlines.
Por explains cause, route, and exchange
Por often answers why something happens, the route taken, or what is exchanged.
Gracias por la ayuda.
Thanks for the help.
Focus: por
Paseamos por el barrio antiguo.
We walk through the old quarter.
Focus: por
Pagué tres euros por el cortado.
I paid three euros for the cortado.
Focus: por
Think of por as through, because of, or in exchange for.
Para points to purpose, destination, and deadlines
Para often points forward to a goal, a recipient, a place, or a time limit.
Este informe es para la reunión.
This report is for the meeting.
Focus: para
Salimos para Valencia mañana.
We leave for Valencia tomorrow.
Focus: para
Lo necesito para el viernes.
I need it by Friday.
Focus: para
Think of para as in order to, for the benefit of, heading to, or by a deadline.
Pattern tables
See the grammar pattern.
Typical uses
| Use | Por | Para |
|---|---|---|
| Reason / purpose | por la lluvia | para estudiar |
| Movement / destination | por la plaza | para Bilbao |
| Exchange / recipient | por diez euros | para mi hermana |
| Time | por dos horas | para el lunes |
Practice prompts
Try a few examples.
Este regalo es ___ mi sobrino.
Answer: para
Use por for cause, exchange, duration, and movement through a place; use para for purpose, destination, recipients, and deadlines.
Choose the sentence that means "We walk through the park."
- Paseamos por el parque.
- Paseamos para el parque.
- Paseamos de el parque.
- Paseamos a por parque.
Answer: Paseamos por el parque.
Use por for cause, exchange, duration, and movement through a place; use para for purpose, destination, recipients, and deadlines.
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