'Para' and 'por' in Spanish

• Para and por are both prepositions in Spanish and have a number of meanings.

• Para and por are used in different situations.

Para and por are prepositions that do not always translate easily into English.

Para and por can be translated as:

• for
• on
• through
• because of
• in exchange for
• in order to

Para and por can be used to mean several other prepositions and phrases.

Use para in the following ways:

1. To say who something is for.

For example:

Este dinero es para mí. - This money is for me.

2. Talk about destinations.

For example:

El tren es para Barcelona. - The train to Barcelona.

3. To say ‘to’ or ‘in order to’ followed by an infinitive verb.

For example:

Corro para mantenerme en forma. - I run to stay in shape.

4. To say ‘by’ time phrases.

For example:

para mañana - by tomorrow

5. To say ‘for’ in phrases like ‘for … number of days’ when you’re talking about the future.

For example:

Quiero el coche para dos días. - I want the car for two days.

6. To express an opinion.

For example:

Para mí, es esencial. - In my opinion, it’s essential.

Use por in the following ways:

1. To say 'for' in phrases like ‘for … number of years/months’ in the past.

For example:

Viví en Madrid por un año - I lived in Madrid for a year.

2. To talk about parts of the day when you want to say ‘in’.

For example:

por la mañana - in the morning

3. To say through.

For example:

Entró por la puerta. - He came through the door.

4. To say ‘per’ or ‘a’ in number phrases.

For example:

Dos veces por día - Twice a day

5. To talk about exchange.

For example:

Pagó tres euros por el café. - She paid three euros for the coffee.

6. To say ‘on behalf of’.

For example:

Lo hice por tí. - I did it on your behalf.

7. To say ‘thank you’ for something.

For example:

Gracias por el dinero. - Thank you for the money.

Practise what you've learned about para and por in Spanish with this quiz.

Now you have learned about para and por in Spanish why not explore expressions with tener?