The prepositions por and para are usually confused since they could have the same translations depending on the context. They both could mean to or for. In this article you will learn and practice por vs para.
Por (for, by, through, because of)
The preposition por is very popular in Spanish. As you can see, it could be not only for or to, but also by, through or even because of. Por is also used after some verbs. We’ll review some of its main uses to learn how and when to use por correctly.
Let’s start learning the difference por vs para.
Por – Cause
Por is used when stating the cause of something.
Ellas están nerviosas por los resultados.
They are nervous because of the results.
Está preocupada por sus problemas de salud.
She is worried about her health problems.
Por – Means of Communication
Por is also used to state the means of communication.
Escucha cosas interesantes por la radio.
She listens to interesting things on the radio.
Luis vende sus libros por internet.
Luis sells his books on the internet.
Por – Price
Por is also used when stating a price or cost.
Venden la televisión por cien euros.
They sell the TV for 100 euros.
Vendo camisetas por ochenta dólares.
I sell t-shirts for 80 dollars.
Por – Approximate Location
Por is used to talk about approximate location.
Trabaja en un restaurante por esa zona.
She works in a restaurant around that area.
Espera un momento. La lista está por aquí.
Wait a moment. The list is somewhere around here.
Por – Through
Por can also be translated as through to express something starting at one side and finishing at the other side.
In Spanish, the preposition para also has many meanings. For example, it could mean for, to as well as in order to.
Para – In order to
Para + infinitive usually means in order to or so that.
David estudia para tener un trabajo agradable.
David studies to get a nice job.
No puedo ir al supermercado para comprar pan.
I can’t go to the supermarket to buy bread.
Por vs para: When used with an infinitive, por introduces a reason and para expresses a purpose. For example, me llamaron por no ir a clase (they called me because I didn’t go to class) vs me llamaron para no ir a clase (they called me not to go to class).
Para – Destination
Para is used to refer to the destination (for, to).
Por vs para: When referring to a location, por introduces an approximate place and para indicates a destination. In this sense, the prepositions para and a can be used interchangeably.
Para – Recipient
Use para when there is a recipient.
¿Quieres un café? Este es para ti.
Do you want a coffee? This one is for you.
Compran regalos para sus amigas.
They buy presents for their friends.
Por vs para: When used with people, por expresses the reason you do something is that person and para indicates the person you are doing something for. For example, es por ti (it’s because of you) vs es para ti (it’s for you).
