Spanish Grammar: Por vs. Para
One of the conundrums of Spanish grammar is por vs. para. When to use them and why one is used versus the otherā¦ The dilemma of one too many students learning Spanish. Rather than focusing in on the 50% chance of getting it wrong (versus the 50% chance of getting it right!), learn these simple rules.
Por is a circle
It sounds pretty wild, but por really is (is really) a circle. It is about the reasoning and the means.
- Communication. Email, phone, and snapchat, por has you covered.
- Lo llamĆ© por telĆ©fono – I called him on the phone.
- La contactĆ© por correo electrĆ³nico – I contacted her via email.
- Mode of travel. Your travels will involve por.
- Viajar por aviĆ³n/coche/metro – To travel via plane/car/metro). In this case por is the equivalent of via and can be substituted by en.
- Exchange.
- ĀæCuĆ”nto pagas por tu telĆ©fono al mes? – How much do you pay for your cell phone every month?
- As a kid would say to another over lunch: Te cambio mi almuerzo por tu Transformer – Iāll give you my lunch for your Transformer.
- Substitutions. When you do something in place of someone else.
- No puedo enseƱar la clase maƱana, Āælo haces por mĆ?- I cannot teach class tomorrow, could you do it for me?
- Duration.
- Mi familia ha vivido en Nueva York por mĆ”s de cuatro dĆ©cadas – My family has lived in New York for more than four decades.
- Motivation, because of. When speaking of the reason why you do something, use por.
- Estudio espaƱol por mi novia – I study Spanish because of my girlfriend.
- Through.
- Ā El ladrĆ³n entrĆ³ por la ventana – The thief came through the window.
- Around.
- El restaurante estĆ” por esta calle – The restaurant is around this street.
- Pass/go by.
- Voy a pasar por su casa – Iāll stop by his house. The house is either not the final destination or the speaker will not be spending much time there.
- By.
Cien aƱos de soledad fue escrito por Gabriel GarcĆa MĆ”rquez – One Hundred Years of Solitude was written by Gabriel GarcĆa MĆ”rquez.
Examples of common por phrases
- Por favor – please
- Por ejemplo – for example
- Por suerte – fortunately
- Por supuesto – of course
- Por supuesto que sĆ ā yes, of course
- Por supuesto que no – of course not
- Por eso – because of that
- Por quĆ© – why
- Por cierto – by the way
- Por ciento – percent
- Por fin – finally
Para is an arrow
Para is for the end result. It is very specific and direct. In fact, there are only four main uses.
- Goals, in order to.
- Estudio para ser doctor – I study to be a doctor.
- Trabaja mucho para ganar un buen salario – He works a lot to (in order to) earn a good salary.
- Destination.
- Este mes voy para CentroamĆ©rica – This month Iām going to Central America.
- Deadline.
- La tarea es para el lunes – The homework is for (due) Monday.
- Recipient, for someone.
- Este regalo es para ti – This present is for you.
Examples of common para phrases
- ĀæPara dĆ³nde? – where to?
- ĀæPara quĆ©? – for what?
- Para que – in order to
- Para mĆ – for me
- Para ti – for you
- Para siempre – forever
- Para variar – for a change (used sarcastically)
- Para rematar/colmo – to top it all off š
Now that you know the differences, work on the exercises below.Ā
- Ā Ā __________ mĆ es muy importante aprender espaƱol – For me it is very important to learn Spanish.Ā
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā No es necesario que trabajes tanto solo __________ ganar dinero – It is not necessary that you work so hard only to earn money.Ā
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ha viajado __________ barco. Ha sido un viaje muy largo – He has travelled via ship. Itās been a long trip.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā El ensayo es __________ la semana que viene – The essay is due next week.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā”Hablamos __________ tres horas! – We talked for three hours!
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Necesito entender la razĆ³n. __________ eso quiero hablarte – I need to understand the reason. Thatās why I want to speak to you (on the phone).
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ĀæBuscas algo __________ aquĆ? – Are you looking for something around here?
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Āæ__________ quĆ© quieres comprar tantas cosas? – Why do you want to buy so many things?Ā
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā __________ su novia harĆa cualquier cosa – Heād do anything for his girlfriend.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Mi amor es solo __________Ā ti – My love is only for you <3
Answers: 1. para; 2. para/por; 3. por; 4. para; 5. por; 6. por; 7. por; 8. para/por; 9. por; 10. para.Ā
When all fails, remember the odds are in your favor: you have a 50% chance of getting it right! š
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