Las preposiciones por y para (Prepositions por and para)

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The prepositions por and para tend to be some of the trickiest prepositions for non-native speakers because they are typically considered to be the translation of for. Por and para can mean much more than just for, and here we will break down the differences and when to use each one depending on context and meaning.

When do we use por?

• Causa, motivo o razón (Cause, Motive or Reason)

• because of, due to, on behalf of (a causa de)

• Tengo que ir al supermercado por comida, no tengo nada en casa.

• I have to go to the supermarket in order to get food, I have nothing at home.

• Localización indeterminada en el espacio, cerca o próximo al lugar (Approximated Place, Indeterminate Location around a Place or Surrounding) 

• through, around (a través, alrededor)

• Estamos caminando por el parque Washington Square. 🌳🚶

• We are walking through/around Washington Square Park.

• Periodo de tiempo (Period of Time)

•  for
• in the morning, afternoon or evening

• Voy a viajar por cuatro semanas este verano. ✈️

• I will be travelling for four weeks this summer.

• Mi clase de química es por la mañana. 🧑‍🔬

• My chemistry class is in the morning.

• Distribución (Distribution)

• per

• Solo permiten una mascota por persona. 🐇

• They only allow one pet per person.

• Medio de comunicación o transporte (Medium/Method of Communication or Transport)

•  by, through (a través de)

• Compro mi ropa por internet y llega por correo. 👕📫

• I buy my clothes through the internet and it arrives by mail.

• Viajo a Irlanda por avión. 🇮🇪✈️

• I travel to Ireland by plane.

Note: While it is correct to use por in order to indicate what method of transportation someone is taking, the preposition en is more commonly used. For example:

• Voy a la universidad en tren. 🚆

• I go to the university by train.

• Vamos en carro a la playa. 🚘🏖️

• We’re going to the beach by car.

• Intercambio, compra (Exchange/Purchase) 

• in exchange for

• Puedo comprar mucha ropa por cincuenta dólares en la tienda de segunda mano. 💸👚👖

• I can buy a lot of clothes for fifty dollars at a secondhand store.

When do we use para?

• Propósito, objetivo, finalidad (Purpose, Objective, End Goal)

• for (purpose), in order to
• preposition para is followed by an infinitive verb

• Estoy estudiando para mejorar mi español. 🤓

• I am studying to improve my Spanish.

• Destino, en dirección hacia (Destination, Headed towards)

• to

• Voy para el cine esta noche.  🍿

• I am going to the theater/movies tonight.

• Destinatario (Recipient)

•  for (whom)

• Tengo un regalo para ti. 🎁🤩

• I have a present for you.

• Plazo de tiempo, fecha límite (Time Frame/Limit, Deadline)

• by

• La redacción es para mañana. 📝

• The writing assignment is due tomorrow.

• Opinión (Opinion)

• for
• followed by prepositional pronoun or subject

• ¿Para ti es mejor ir a la tienda o comprar en línea? 🤔

• For you, is it better to go to the store or shop online?

There are certain fixed expressions that use either por or para and they are not interchangeable:

We previously saw prepositional pronouns (pronombres preposicionales) with gustar and similar verbs. They (mí, ti, él/ella/elle/usted, nosotros/as/es, vosotros/as/es, ellos/as/es/ustedes) are also used following prepositions por and para.

• ¿Tienes una sorpresa para mí?

• ¿Do you have a surprise for me?

• Yo voy a la tienda por ti.

• I go to the store for you.

Additionally, with the preposition con (with) the prepositional pronouns change in the first (mí) and second (ti) person, they join the preposition and turn into one word:

• conmigo (with me)

• ¿Quieres bailar conmigo? 👯

• Do you want to dance with me?

• contigo (with you)

• Vamos al restaurante contigo.

• We are going to the restaurant with you.

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