Find solution
When do you use 'para' and when do you use 'por?

How would someone distinguish when to use "por" or "para" in a spanish conversation?

  • My native language is English, and recently in my college spanish class we started discussing when to use "por" and "para". Its very confusing for me to figure out, considering they both mean "for" in english.

  • Answer:

    It's not easy to explain because there are lots of different uses. You'll learn it when you get more used to the language and you'll see which one sounds better in each case. Some examples: I have a gift for you = Tengo un regalo para ti (refers to an object) I came only for you = Vine sólo por ti (refers to an action). Gracias por venir = Thanks for coming Para llegar a tiempo, tienes que salir temprano = In order to arrive on time, you have to leave early. Voy para allá = I'm going towards there (refers to a direction, the place where you go) Voy por allá = I'm going over there, through there, meaning I'll pass by there to get to where I go. You have to pass through there to arrive here = Tienes que pasar POR ahí PARA llegar aquí. Por could also mean by: Un libro escrito por XX = a book writen by XX. Pasé por tu calle = I passed by your street Por = On: To speak on the phone = Hablar por teléfono Another example: If somebody asks you Why did you come here? (¿Por qué viniste?), you could answer either way: Vine por la música = I came because of the music. Vine para escuchar música = I came to listen to the music. These are some of the uses, I hope it helps. (I'm a native speaker) By the way, for Spanish-speaking people English prepositions are confusing too!

Ross M at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

Grammatically, you want to use the right one. In daily talk, it is of no matter, because you will be understood. Para literally means "in order to" and por is more of a preposition. Por la tarde means "in" the afternoon. Este libro is por la maestra is this book is for the teacher. Este libro es para ti, this book is for you. As you can see, they are interchangeable.

Mr.Knowitall

por: to pass por the park or to pass por the store the book is por ... para: para+inf like in order to do something the gift is para.... the train is para spain those are a few examples but there are many, try googling i.

Kim D

when you say para your refering for a person and por is when you say for a reason or by a person

vintage flowers

When you use por, you're referring to time or actions. Like por la manana, por cinco horas. When you use para, you're referring to giving something like.. para mi madre. Such as "for something" its confusing but when you keep learning Spanish ..you'll get used to knowing which "for" to use. GOOD LUCK!!

TheaV

for, means means done by someone else than you, para means to someone, not the one that wrote it, so por means by- like a Card made by Jena to laexandra :Por:Jena Para means to, Para: Alexandra Im PuertoRican, they do not mean the same thing

♥zLove♥

Por for example the book is written por meaning by this particular author I have a gift para for James hope this helps

damianna_dragonfireglow

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.