A2
por and para
How Spanish divides the uses of por and para, the one question that decides most cases, and the set phrases worth memorising.
English for covers both. Spanish splits them, and after ser and estar this is the difficulty learners spend the longest on.
The question that decides most cases
para points forward: a purpose, a destination, a deadline, a recipient.
por points back: a cause, a reason, an exchange, a route, a duration.
Este regalo es para ti.
this gift is for you
This present is for you.
Gracias por el regalo.
thanks for the gift
Thanks for the present.
The first looks ahead to who receives it; the second looks back at what prompted the thanks.
para
| purpose | Estudio para aprender. |
| destination | Salgo para Madrid. |
| deadline | Para el lunes. |
| recipient | Es para mi madre. |
| opinion | Para mí, es difícil. |
Estudio para aprender.
I-study for to-learn
I study in order to learn.
por
| cause | Lo hice por ti. |
| exchange | Lo compré por diez euros. |
| duration | Estuve allí por dos años. |
| route, through | Pasamos por Madrid. |
| means | Te llamo por teléfono. |
| per | cinco por ciento |
Lo compré por diez euros.
it I-bought for ten euros
I bought it for ten euros.
Gracias para el regalo.
Gracias por el regalo.
Thanks look back at a cause, so they take por. This one is worth memorising as a fixed phrase rather than reasoned out each time.
The pair that shows the difference
Lo hice por ti. / Lo hice para ti.
it I-did because-of you / it I-did for you
I did it because of you. / I did it for you.
Por ti means you were the reason. Para ti means you get the result. Both are correct sentences and they say different things.
The set phrases
Por favor, por supuesto, por eso, por fin, por ejemplo, por lo menos. Almost every fixed expression uses por, which is worth knowing when you are guessing.