Spanish Grammar
Pronunciation & Accents
Gender & Def./Indef. Articles Subject Pronouns
The Verb Ser
Plural Nouns & Adjectives
The Calendar
Cardinal & Ordinal Numbers
Telling Time
Hay
Verbs - The Present Tense
The Verb Ir
The Verb Tener
The Verb Estar
Ser vs. Estar
Possessive Adjectives
Possessive Pronouns
Stem-Changing Verbs
Object Pronouns
The Verb Gustar
The Weather
Reflexive Verbs
Por vs. Para
Demonstratives
The Verb Acabar de
The Verb Volver a
The Past Tense - Pretérito Prepositions
Informal Commands
The Past Tense - Imperfecto
Preterit vs. Imperfect
Past Participles
Present Perfect Tense
Past Perfect Tense
The Subjunctive
Formal Commands
The Future Tense
The Conditional Tense
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Por vs. Para
Learn Spanish: Spanish Prepositions Por vs. Para
This learn Spanish grammar lesson reviews two of the main and most often used Spanish prepositions -- por and para, both which mean "for." However, each of these Spanish prepositions has unique and specific uses that you must simply memorize.
When to use Por?
1. Duration
| Expressing duration of time: "for" |
Quiero viajar por tres semanas. |
| I want to travel for three weeks. |
| Indicating a period of time during the 24-hour day: "for," "at," "during," "on," or "throughout" |
Voy al aeropuerto por la noche. |
| I'm going to the airport at night. |
| Expressing the Latin term "per" |
Limpio mi casa una vez por semana. |
| I clean my house once per week. |
2. Substitution or Exchange
| Expressing an equal exchange or trade: "for" |
Compré el libro por veinte dólares. |
| I bought the book for twenty dollars. |
| Expressing substitution: "in/on behalf" or "in place of" |
Mi padre habló por mi madre. |
| My dad spoke on behalf of my mom. |
| Expressing thanks/gratitude: "for" |
Muchas gracias por el regalo. |
| Thanks a lot for the gift. |
3. Motivation
| Expressing having done something or "because of": "due to" |
Por estar triste, no quiero salir. |
| Because of being sad, I don't want to go out. |
| Expressing a motive: "for" or "because of" |
Voy a la fiesta por las chicas bonitas. |
| I'm going to the party because of the pretty girls. |
| Expressing why something/someone is a certain way: "for," "due to," or "because of" |
Gano más dinero por mi experiencia. |
| I earn more money because of my experience. |
4. Movement
| Expressing means of transportation: "by" or "on" |
Voy a viajar por avion. |
| I am going to travel by plane. |
| Expressing method of sending messages/information: "by"or "via" |
Te mandaré el documento por correo electrónico. |
| I'll send you the document by e-mail. |
| Indicating a temporary stopping point: "by" or "through" |
Pasa por mi casa antes de ir a la playa. |
| Stop by my house before going to the beach. |
5. Emotions
| Expressing a like/dislike or an emotion for someone/something: "for" |
Él tiene mucho respeto por su maestra. |
| He has a lot of respect for his teacher. |
When to use Para?
1. Destination
| Expressing real or figurative destination: "for" |
La bateria es para el radio. |
| The battery is for the radio. |
| Expressing the recipient of an action: "for" |
La cerveza es para ti. |
| The beer is for you. |
| Expressing direction or final travel destination: "to" or "for" |
Mi hermano va para Boston mañana. |
My brother is going to Bostontomorrow.
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| Indicating the objective or goal of an action, such as profession: "to be" |
Estudio para abogado. |
| I'm studying to be a lawyer. |
2. Purpose
| Expressing purpose: "for" |
El dinero es para comprar una casa. |
| The money is for buying a house. |
| Expressing why one does something: "in order to" |
Ella se acuesta temprano para despertarse temprano. |
| She goes to bed early in order to wake up early. |
3. Deadline
| Expressing a specific time limit or future deadline: "for," "by," or "before" |
Necesito mudarme para el próximo viernes. |
| I need to move by next Friday. |
4. Standard
| Expressing a comparison to a certain standard: "for" |
Hace mucho frío para abril. |
| It's very cold for April. |
| Expressing an opinion or personal standard: "for" |
Para mí, el vino tinto es mejor que el vino blanco. |
| In my opinion (for me), red wine is better than white wine. |
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