Por and Para are, without a doubt, two Spanish prepositions that cause the most headaches for students. 😥 

And if you speak English, the issue is a bit more complicated as both words are translated as “for”. 😒 

So, if you’ve been struggling to study these propositions, you’ve come to the right place. 😏 

In Spanish Express, we explain the uses and differences of these words. Additionally, we will give you several examples so that you can apply them correctly in speaking and writing. 😁 

Ready to take your learning to the next level? Improve your Spanish with this information. 💪 

Por and Para

If we delve a little deeper into the origin of these words, we find that the preposition “por” was the first to be recorded.

It originates from the Latin “pro” and, according to language studies, “para” derived from the combination of “pro” + “a“.

In short, and skipping many aspects of language evolution, this is how these prepositions came about.

So, how do we differentiate “Por and Para” nowadays? 

•     “Por” indicates a cause. It is used to explain the reason for an action.

Example:

Mónica se mudó a Inglaterra por trabajo.

•     “Para” indicates a purpose. It is used to explain the purpose of an action.

Example:

Compré entradas para ir al concierto

We can compare the two propositions using this example:

Mónica se ha ido a Inglaterra por trabajo.

In this case, “por” indicates the cause of travel, which is work for some work responsibility, such as a meeting or event.

Mónica ha ido a Inglaterra para trabajar.

On the other hand, “para” indicates the purpose of the journey, which in this case is also working, but for different reasons, such as starting a new job or looking for a new job.

As mentioned above, “Por” = cause, “Para” = purpose.  

However, they also have other uses, which are summarised below.

Uses of Por and Para 

“Por” is used in the following situations:

UsesExampleCauseSuspendió el examen de español por​ no estudiar.Motivation¡Brindemos por​ tu nuevo trabajo en Mallorca!ReasonPor​ tu culpa he perdido el tren a Valencia.PlaceCreo que por esa calle hay un monumento de Miguel de Cervantes.Indeterminate timeTe llamo mañana por la tarde y hablamos con tranquilidad, ¿vale?Means by which we do somethingNormalmente hablamos por Zoom.ExchangeHe comprado la entrada del concierto del sábado por cuatro duros, ¿te lo puedes creer?DistributionSolo tenemos 4 libros y somos 8 estudiantes, así que toca un libro por​ cada dos estudiantes.

“Para” applies in the following cases:

UsoEjemploGoalEsta plataforma es para ​todos los interesados en aprender español para negocios.PurposeEste nuevo material didáctico es para el curso preparatorio de SIELE.AddressEste tren va para ​Barcelona con parada en Zaragoza.TimeEstos deberes son para el próximo lunes, ¡no os olvidéis!AddresseePara​ todos los interesados en el programa de inmersión “Vive y estudia en casa de tu profesor”, las inscripciones están abiertas.

Questions with Por and Para

It is also essential to keep in mind the use of Por and Para in formulating questions.

The first thing to do is to identify whether the question is motivated by a purpose (para qué) or a cause (por qué).

Generally, when you ask “por qué”, you answer by explaining the cause using “porque” or “para”. However, it is also valid to say the purpose (para). This can happen with both prepositions.

Let’s look at this example:

¿Para qué vas a estudiar español con Spanish Express? 

Cause:

Porque debo prepararme correctamente para el DELE. 

Purpose:

Para sacar la mejor nota en el SIELE. 

Do you see it now? It’s a lot less complicated when you put into practice this version of the equation we provided above:

“Por” = cause

“Para” = purpose

We will discuss this question topic in more detail on another occasion.

Note

We can’t leave without giving you a grammar fact that will help you on your way to learning Spanish.

One thing to remember about por and para is that in Spanish, we do not use prepositions to express the duration of an event.

For example: 

✅ Estuve asistiendo a clases de cocina seis semanas. 

❌Estuve asistiendo a clases de cocina por seis semanas. 

Although this is a mistake many natives make, it is essential to note it in your notebook to avoid making these errors yourself.

That’s enough grammar for today! But… We leave you with some homework to practice what you have learned.

Do you want to know more about Spanish grammar? 

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Why is “por qué” important to understand in Spanish?

Understanding “por qué” is crucial because it helps to clarify reasons or causes in Spanish, distinguishing it from “para,” which is used for purposes or goals. Knowing the difference can significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.

How can I use “por” and “para” to express dedicated actions, similar to “lo hice para ti” (I did it for you)?

To express actions dedicated to someone like in “lo hice para ti,” use “para” to indicate the purpose or goal of your actions towards a person or objective, showing that the action was done specifically for them.

How can I effectively use “por” and “para” when teaching my grandmother, as in “mi abuela para aprender”?

When teaching Spanish or any subject to your grandmother, use “para” as in “mi abuela para aprender” to emphasize the goal of her learning. It shows that the teaching efforts are aimed specifically at her understanding and mastering the content.

How do I use “por” and “para” in expressions of distribution, such as “uno para cada hombre”?

In expressions of distribution like “uno para cada hombre” (one for each man), use “para” to indicate that something is specifically intended for each person. “Por” could also be used to express a distributive action when speaking in terms of ratios or allocations, such as in “one book per student” (un libro por estudiante). Similarly, when discussing software availability, we might say “disponible para Windows y Linux” to specify that the software is intended for use on both operating systems.