Overview
Por and para are especially frustrating because, while they each have a number of meanings, they can often both just be translated as for. Below you will find tips for using each preposition, a list of their most common uses, examples, and easy-to-remember acronyms to help you remember when to use por and para.
Looking for an introduction to por and para? Check out our article on basic por vs. para.
Para
Para is used to talk about purpose, recipients, opinions, destinations, deadlines, and standards. The acronym PRODDS can help you remember these uses!
Purpose (in order to)
Para can indicate a purpose or a goal.
Estudio español para hablar con gente de Argentina.
I study Spanish in order to talk to people from Argentina.
Trabaja para ganar dinero.
He works in order to earn money.
Necesitamos hablar para discutir unas cosas importantes.
We need to talk in order to discuss some important things.
Juan usó el teléfono para llamarla.
Juan used the telephone in order to to call her.
Recipient (for)
Para can indicate the recipient of an action or thing.
Este pastel es para mi madre.
This cake is for my mother.
Anita trabaja para SpanishDict.
Anita works for SpanishDict.
Opinion (for, according to)
Para can be used to talk about an opinion.
Para mí, el español es más romántico que el italiano.
For me, Spanish is more romantic than Italian.
Para la profesora los estudiantes son el futuro.
According to the teacher, students are the future.
Destination (for)
Para can indicate the destination or ending point for an object or person.
Este cuadro es para un museo en Madrid.
This painting is for a museum in Madrid.
Salgo para Chile esta noche.
I leave for Chile tonight.
Deadline (for, by, on)
Para can indicate when something is due or scheduled.
Esta tarea es para mañana.
This homework is for tomorrow.
La cita es para el jueves.
The appointment is on Thursday.
Standard (for)
Para is used to compare something or someone to a standard, such as cheapness or speed.
Para ser tan barata, esta hamburguesa es deliciosa.
This is delicious for a cheap hamburger.
Para ser una tortuga, es muy rápida.
For a turtle, he is very fast.
Por
Por is to talk about duration, reasons, motives, emotions, exchanges, mode of communication or transportation, and subsitutions. The acronym DREEMS can help you remember these uses!
Duration (for)
Por is used to talk about how long it takes something to happen.
Viajamos en coche por ocho horas.
We traveled by car for eight hours.
Estudié por cinco horas.
I studied for five hours.
Reason or Motive (because of)
Por indicates a reason for something.
Por su amor al español, siempre lo estudiaba.
Because of his love for Spanish, he always studied it.
Por el número de gente que vino, pedí más comida.
Because of the number of people who came, I ordered more food.
Emotion (for, towards, at)
Por expresses emotions.
Tengo tanto amor por ti.
I have so much love for you.
La chica siente muchos celos por la estrella del cine.
The girl felt a lot of jealousy towards the movie star.
Exchange (for)
Por expresses the idea of exchange.
Pagué $60 por estos zapatos.
I paid $60 for these shoes.
Te daré mi galleta por tu pastelito.
I'll give you my cookie for your cupcake.
Mode of Communication or Transportation/Movement (by, on, through)
Por expresses the manner in which something or someone travels.
Viajamos por tren a Italia.
We travel by train to Italy.
Hablamos por teléfono anoche.
We talked on the phone last night.
Caminamos por el parque hace 2 días.
We walked through the park 2 days ago.
Substitution (for, instead of)
Por indicates that someone or something is taking the place of another person or thing.
Hay una maestra sustituta por la Señora Martinez hoy.
There is a substitute teacher for Mrs. Martinez today.
Fui al supermercado por mi madre porque ella estaba enferma.
I went to the grocery store instead of my mother because she was sick.
