⇒ Learning the differences between por and para can seem daunting at first, but don't give up!
⇒ Practice is key to getting a handle on the differences between this famously tricky pair of Spanish prepositions.
⇒ Below you will find tips for using each preposition, including easy-to-remember acronyms to help you figure out when to use por and para.
⇒ Looking for an introduction to por and para? Check out our notes on basic por vs. para.
⇒ Para is used to talk about purpose, recipients, opinions, destinations, deadlines, and standards. The acronym PRODDS can help you remember these uses! Let's take a closer look at each one.
⇒ Used to indicate a purpose or a goal.
⇒ Translation: in order to
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. |
⇒ Used to indicate the recipient of an action or thing.
⇒ Translation: for
Este pastel es para mi madre.This cake is for my mother. |
Anita trabaja para la RAE.Anita works for the RAE. |
⇒ Used to talk about an opinion.
⇒ Translation: for, according to
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. |
⇒ Used to indicate the destination or end point of an object or person.
⇒ Translation: for
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. |
⇒ Used to indicate when something is due or scheduled.
⇒ Translations: for, by, on
Esta tarea es para mañana.This homework is for tomorrow. |
La cita es para el jueves.The appointment is on Thursday. |
⇒ Used to compare something or someone to a standard, such as cheapness or speed.
⇒ Translation: for
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 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!
⇒ Used to talk about how long it takes something to happen.
⇒ Translation: for
Viajamos en coche por ocho horas.We traveled by car for eight hours. |
Estudié por cinco horas.I studied for five hours. |
⇒ Used to indicate a reason or motive for doing something.
⇒ Translation: because of
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. |
⇒ Used to indicate the recipient or or cause for an emotional reaction.
⇒ Translations: for, towards, at
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. |
⇒ Used to talk about exchanges.
⇒ Translation: for
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. |
⇒ Used to talk about the manner in which something or someone travels.
⇒ Translations: by, on, through
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. |
⇒ Used to indicate that someone or something is taking the place of another person or thing.
⇒ Translations: for, instead of
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. |