Por / Para
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Uses of POR:
Por is used to express by, for, because of, per, through, and around. Por looks back to motives and causes. It is used to denote means and agents, duration of time, approximate time or place, and exchange.
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Uses of PARA:
Para is used to express for, toward, considering, and by (deadline). Para looks ahead to direction, ends, destinations, and uses. It is used to denote points of time and deadlines, and it is used in comparisons.
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Cause and Motive
Por eso no tengo hambre Gracias por venir. Estoy agradecido por todo. Me preocupo por ti. In behalf of Lo hice por ti. Lo hacen por tu bien. Se sacrifica por su hijo. Exchange Pagué dos mil por el coche. Cobra mucho por su trabajo. Approximate time/space Llega por la tarde. Lo voy a hacer por la mañana. Pasan por un parque. Tienes toda la via por delante. Duration Pensó por un momento. Habló a la gente por dos horas. Miscellaneous Queda mucho por hacer. |
That's why I am not hungry. Thank you for coming. I am grateful for everything. I worry about you. I did it for you. They do it for your good. She sacrifices herself for her son. I payed two thousand for the car. He charges a lot for his work. He arrives in the afternoon. I am going to do it in the morning. They pass by (through) a park. You have your whole life ahead of you. She thought for a moment. He spoke to the people for two hours. There is a lot left to do. |
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Direction toward goal or recipient
Deadline/Point of time Miscellaneous |
Contrasts
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- ¿Por qué lo tienes?
- Porque quiero usarlo. - Why do you have it? - Because I want to use it. Vine por hablarte. I came to speak with you. (with the purpose) El cuarto fue preparada por ella. The room was prepared for (on her behalf) her. Por ti es importante. For (because of) you it is important. Habla bien por su edad. He speaks well because of his age. Lo conseguí por un amigo. I got it for a friend. (on behalf of) Trabajo por mi tío. I work for my uncle. (on behalf of) Salimos por Nueva York. We leave through New York. Están por aquí. They are around here. Pasamos por tí. We will pick you up. Le di el dinero por la comida. I gave him the money for the food. Volverán por Navidad. They will return around Christmas. Estoy por hacerlo. I am about to do it. |
- ¿Para qué lo tienes?
- Para usarlo. - For what reason do you have it? - In order to use it. Vine para hablarte. I came in order to speak with you. El cuarto fue preparada para ella. The room was prepared for her. (she is the recipient) Para ti es importante. It is important for to you. (opinion) Habla bien para su edad. He speaks well for his age. Lo conseguí para un amigo. I got it for a friend. (recipient, a gift) Trabajo para mi tío. I work for my uncle. (he is the employer) Salimos para Nueva York. We leave for New York. (final destination) Tráelo para acá. Bring it here. (final destination) Pasamos para buscarte. We passed by in order to find you. Le di el dinero para la comida. I gave him the money for the food. Volverán para Navidad. They will return for Christmas. Estoy para hacerlo. I am here to do it. |
