Por vs. Para: How and When to Use These Spanish Prepositions

The por vs. para dilemma is one of the biggest headaches for English speakers learning Spanish, especially since both are sometimes translated as "for." If you are still confused about the Spanish prepositions por and para, this lesson will explain how and when to use each. We hope that by the end of it, you will understand the difference between these two words and be able to use them with confidence.

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Por vs. Para: The Key Difference

Before we examine some specific uses of por and para in Spanish, we would like to invite you to think about these prepositions as opposites in the following terms:

Por: Indicates a cause or reason.

Para: Indicates a purpose, objective, or goal.

In a video from his series about the prepositions por and para, Carlos explains this difference by contrasting two sentences. Let's hear the first:

Estoy preocupado por el examen.

I'm worried about the exam.

Caption 35, Carlos explica Las preposiciones 'por' y 'para' - Part 1
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In this sentence, the preposition por indicates that the exam is the cause or reason for Carlos' concern. Now, let's look at the other sentence:

María estudió tres días para el examen.

Maria studied for the exam for three days.

Caption 39, Carlos explica Las preposiciones 'por' y 'para' - Part 1
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In this case, the preposition para indicates that the exam was María's goal and/or purpose for studying, most likely to try to achieve the best possible grade.

Now that we have highlighted this overarching difference between the prepositions por and para, let's explore a variety of more nuanced uses of each of these Spanish words.

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How and When to Use the Preposition Por in Spanish

Let's take a look at many of the most common uses of the preposition por in Spanish.

To Indicate the Reason for Something

Si ese tipo vino aquí por dinero, pues... eso es lo único que quiere.

If that guy came here for money, well... that's the only thing he wants.

Captions 49-50, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 3 - Part 8
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Before Place Names to Denote a Course of Movement Within That Location

Pero ¿sabéis lo que le gusta hacer a Lukas? Ir a correr por la playa.

But, do you know what does Lukas like to do? Go running on the beach.

Captions 58-59, Amaya Mi camper van
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To Indicate Approximate Location

Hoy he decidido hacer unas compras por el centro de la ciudad.

Today I've decided to do some shopping in the city's downtown.

Caption 2, Raquel Haciendo compras
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To Talk About the Time of Day

Las clases son normalmente por la tarde;

The classes are usually in the afternoon;

Caption 6, El Aula Azul Las actividades de la escuela - Part 2
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To Express Duration

Fui jugador amateur por mucho tiempo,

I was an amateur player for a long time,

Caption 22, Víctor en Caracas El fútbol con Tony Carrasco
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To Indicate the Frequency of an Action

Es de vital importancia que la tienda online se actualice. Deberíamos actualizar al menos dos veces por semana.

It's of vital importance that the online store is updated. We should update at least twice a week.

Captions 6-7, Raquel y Marisa Español Para Negocios - Nuestra tienda online
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To Indicate the Means Used To Do Something

Ayer llamé a mi cuñada por teléfono

Yesterday, I called my sister-in-law on the phone

Caption 5, Aprendiendo con Silvia Frases hechas - Part 3
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To Talk About Purchases and Transactions

¿Por cuánto lo has comprado?

For how much have you bought it?

Caption 17, 75 minutos Del campo a la mesa - Part 16
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In Passive Sentences to Indicate Who or What Performs the Action

O: "El edificio ha sido diseñado por la arquitecta".

Or: "The building has been designed by the [female] architect."

Caption 34, Lecciones con Carolina La voz pasiva - Part 3
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To Provide Evidence Used To Form a Conclusion

Por lo que se ve, pues, no está quemado, no está dañado,

From what you [can] see, well, it's not burned, it's not damaged,

Captions 39-40, Aprendiendo con Priscilla Vocabulario de taller mecánico
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How and When to Use the Preposition Para in Spanish

Now that we know how to use the preposition por in Spanish, let's see how to use the preposition para.

To Express the Purpose for Something

El veterinario vino ayer para comprobar que el bebé que lleva dentro está en buen estado,

The veterinarian came yesterday to check that the baby she's carrying is in good shape,

Captions 66-67, Amaya Apertura del refugio
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To Name a Recipient

Este libro es para ti.

This book is for you.

Caption 47, Carlos y Cyndy Uso del Voseo en Argentina
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To Indicate a Time Limit or Point in the Future

Tengo que terminar el trabajo para mañana.

I have to finish this work by tomorrow.

Caption 39, Carlos explica Las preposiciones 'por' y 'para' - Part 2
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To Indicate the Direction or Destination of a Movement

Eh... voy para la casa. Si quiere, vamos juntos.

Um... I'm going home. If you want, we can go together.

Captions 7-8, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 14 - Part 9
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To Indicate the Use of Something

Tengo que tomar un medicamento para el dolor y otro para bajar la fiebre.

I have to take a medication for the pain and another one to lower the fever.

Captions 30-31, Ariana Cita médica
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To Talk About Employment

Trabajo para una empresa francesa de electrónica

I work for a French electronics company

Caption 13, Carlos y Xavi Part 2 Ustedes y Vosotros
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To Express Personal Opinions

porque es una ciudad que, para mí, lo tiene todo.

because it's a city that, for me, has it all.

Caption 7, San Sebastián El rompeolas
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Por vs Para: Understanding the Main Differences

Now that we have learned how to use the Spanish prepositions por and para, we would like to take a moment to summarize the main differences between them in the following chart.

	POR	PARA

Key Difference:	Cause/Reason	Purpose/Goal
Key Difference:	Ana estudia japonés por placer (Ana studies Japanese for pleasure).	Ana estudia japonés para* poder visitar Japón algún día* (Ana is studying Japanese in order to be able to visit Japan someday).


Place:	Movement	Destination/Direction
	Juan camina por* la playa* (Juan walks on/along the beach).	Juan va para* la playa* (Juan is going to the beach).

	Approximate Location
	Claudia vive por* el centro* (Claudia lives in the downtown area).


Time:	Time of Day	Time Limit
	Me gusta correr por* la mañana* (I like to run in the morning).	Tengo que terminar el informe para* el jueves* (I have to finish the report by Thursday).

	Duration	Future Point in Time
	Luis habló por* dos horas* (Luis spoke for two hours).	Necesito un billete del metro para* mañana* (I need a subway ticket for tomorrow).

	Frequency
	Susana va a la piscina tres veces por* semana* (Susana goes to the pool three times a/per week).


Additional:	Conclusions	Opinions
	Por la cara que tenía, yo creo que Pedro estaba triste (From the look on his face, I think Pedro was sad).	Para mí, esta es la mejor pizza (To me, this is the best pizza).

	Agents of Passive Sentences	Recipients
	El Coliseo fue construido por* los romanos* (The Colosseum was built by the Romans).	El regalo es para* María* (The gift is for Maria).

	Means/Tools	Employment
	Juan habla por* teléfono* (Juan is talking on the phone).	Mario trabaja para* una multinacional* (Mario works for a multinational company).

	Purchases/Transactions
	Compré la cámara por* 200 dólares* (I bought the camera for 200 dollars).

Before we go, we would like to highlight a very common mistake among non-native Spanish speakers. Although your inclination might be to use the word para, remember that in order to express gratitude in Spanish, the preposition por should always be used, as in the sentence "Gracias por el regalo" (Thanks for the gift).

That's all for today. Although we know that this lesson did not touch on all of the possible uses of the prepositions por and para, we hope that it has helped you to better understand how and when to use each of them, and don't forget to send us your comments and suggestions. ¡Hasta la próxima!

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Topics Grammar Prepositions Spanish 101

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75 minutos - Del campo a la mesa Part 16

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Spanish Lessons

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Por vs. Para: How and When to Use These Spanish Prepositions

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Por vs. Para: The Key Difference

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How and When to Use the Preposition Por in Spanish

To Indicate the Reason for Something

Before Place Names to Denote a Course of Movement Within That Location

To Indicate Approximate Location

To Talk About the Time of Day

To Express Duration

To Indicate the Frequency of an Action

To Indicate the Means Used To Do Something

To Talk About Purchases and Transactions

In Passive Sentences to Indicate Who or What Performs the Action

To Provide Evidence Used To Form a Conclusion

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How and When to Use the Preposition Para in Spanish

To Express the Purpose for Something

To Name a Recipient

To Indicate a Time Limit or Point in the Future

To Indicate the Direction or Destination of a Movement

To Indicate the Use of Something

To Talk About Employment

To Express Personal Opinions

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Por vs Para: Understanding the Main Differences

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Words That Start with Y in Spanish

The conjunction y (and)

The pronoun yo (I)

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Names for and Pronunciation of the Letter Y in Spanish

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Common Words in Spanish that Start with Y

ya (already)

yacimiento (site)

yanqui (Yankee)

yate (yatch)

yegua (mare)

yema (yolk)

yerba (herb, grass)

yerno (son-in-law)

yeso (cast or plaster)

yoyó or yoyo (yo-yo)

yoga (yoga)

yogur (yogurt)

yuca (yucca)

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