Por and Para (Junior Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
Por and para
Overview
The prepositions por and para are amongst the most important words in Spanish, but they can be tricky for English speakers because both can sometimes translate as "for" in English. However, they have very different meanings and uses. Understanding when to use each one will help you express yourself more precisely and naturally in Spanish.
The key to mastering por and para is understanding that they represent completely different concepts, even though English often translates both as "for". Think of por as relating to the "how" and "why" of past events, while para relates to future goals and destinations.
Rules & formation
Using por
Por is used in six main situations:
- Exchange - When something is given or received in return for something else
- Cause or reason - To explain why something happened
- On behalf of someone - When doing something for another person's benefit
- Rates and measurements - For expressing prices, speeds, frequencies
- Means of communication or transport - How something is done or sent
- Unspecified periods of time - Vague or approximate time periods
Critical Rule for Por: If you're explaining the cause of something that already happened or describing an exchange, you almost always need por.
Using para
Para is used in three main situations:
- Purpose - The reason why you do something (can often be translated as "in order to")
- Destination - Where someone or something is going
- Specific time periods or deadlines - Exact dates or time limits in the future
Critical Rule for Para: If you can replace the word with "in order to" in English, use para. If you're talking about a future goal or destination, use para.
Table of key forms
Common set phrases with por
| Spanish phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| por favour | please |
| por primera vez | for the first time |
| por aquí | over here, around here |
| por todas partes | everywhere |
| por la mañana | in the morning |
| por ciento | per cent |
These set phrases with por are extremely common in everyday Spanish. It's worth memorising them as complete units rather than trying to analyse why "por" is used in each case.
Quick reference guide
| Use | Por | Para |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange/Payment | ✓ | |
| Cause/Reason | ✓ | |
| Purpose/Goal | ✓ | |
| Destination | ✓ | |
| Vague time | ✓ | |
| Specific deadline | ✓ |
Example sentences
Por examples
Worked Example: Exchange
Cambié mi móvil por uno nuevo. = I exchanged my mobile for a new one.
Analysis: The speaker gave their old phone in exchange for receiving a new one. This is a clear trade or exchange situation, so we use por.
Worked Example: Cause
No salimos por el mal tiempo. = We didn't go out because of the bad weather.
Analysis: The bad weather was the reason or cause they stayed inside. When explaining why something happened, use por.
On behalf of:
- Compré las entradas por mi hermana. = I bought the tickets for my sister.
- The speaker did this action to help their sister.
Rates:
- El taxi cuesta tres euros por kilómetro. = The taxi costs three euros per kilometre.
- This expresses the rate or price per unit.
Communication:
- Enviamos el documento por correo electrónico. = We sent the document by email.
- Email was the method used to send it.
Unspecified time:
- Estudié español por varios años. = I studied Spanish for several years.
- The exact number of years isn't specified - it's a vague duration.
Para examples
Worked Example: Purpose
Necesito dinero para comprar comida. = I need money to buy food.
Analysis: The purpose of needing money is to purchase food. You can substitute "in order to" → "I need money in order to buy food." This confirms para is correct.
Worked Example: Destination
El autobús sale para Barcelona. = The bus leaves for Barcelona.
Analysis: Barcelona is where the bus is heading - its destination. Movement towards a place uses para.
Specific time:
- Tengo una cita para las tres. = I have an appointment for three o'clock.
- The appointment is scheduled for a specific time - a deadline.
Common mistakes & tips
Mistake 1: Using para when talking about cause
❌ Llegué tarde para el tráfico. ✅ Llegué tarde por el tráfico. (I arrived late because of the traffic)
Tip: Remember that causes and reasons always use por.
Mistake 2: Using por for purpose
❌ Voy al supermercado por comprar leche. ✅ Voy al supermercado para comprar leche. (I'm going to the supermarket to buy milk)
Tip: When you can say "in order to" in English, use para.
Mistake 3: Confusing deadlines with duration
❌ Estudié por el examen de mañana. ✅ Estudié para el examen de mañana. (I studied for tomorrow's exam - deadline) ✅ Estudié por dos horas. (I studied for two hours - duration)
Tip: Specific deadlines use para, vague durations use por.
Mini practice
Practice Exercise
Spanish → English
- Compré este regalo por diez euros.
- Salimos para Madrid mañana.
- No pudo venir por estar enfermo.
English → Spanish 4. I'm learning Spanish for my job. 5. She called me on the phone. 6. We walked for twenty minutes.
Answers
- I bought this present for ten euros.
- We're leaving for Madrid tomorrow.
- He couldn't come because he was ill.
- Estoy aprendiendo español para mi trabajo.
- Me llamó por teléfono.
- Caminamos por veinte minutos.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Por is used for exchanges, causes, rates, communication methods, and vague time periods
- Para is used for purposes, destinations, and specific deadlines
- When you can say "in order to" in English, use para
- When explaining why something happened (cause), always use por
- Learn the common set phrases with por - they're used frequently in everyday Spanish