Posted by We’ve discussed the uses of por and para several times, but since it’s a constant struggle for many students, here’s one more article with some examples:
USES OF PARA
Destino (destination) – person:
| Esto es para Javier. | This is for Javier. |
Destino (destination) – thing:
| Necesito una nueva funda para mi teléfono. | I need a new case for my phone. |
Dirección (direction):
| Vamos para el supermercado. | We are going to the supermarket. |
NOTE: In this example we could use a instead of para with the same meaning:
Vamos al supermercado.
Propósito (purpose) / Objetivo (goal) (meaning in order to):
| Fui al supermercado para comprar comida. | I went to the supermarket in order to buy food. |
| Practico cada día para ser mejor pianista. | I practice every day in order to be/to become a better pianist. |
NOTE: When using para as in order to, we usually use it with the infinitive form of a verb:
Fui al cine para ver una película. (I went to the cinema [in order] to watch a movie.)
Leo varios periódicos cada día para estar bien informado. (I read several newspapers every day [in order] to be well-informed.)
Deadline:
| Necesito terminar esto para el jueves. | I need to finish this by Thursday. |
USES OF POR
Periodo de tiempo (time period):
| Estoy aquí por dos días. | I’m here for two days. |
Razón / Causa (reason / cause) (meaning because of):
| La camisa está amarilla por la lejía. | The shirt is yellow because of the bleach. |
| Los vuelos están cancelados por la ola de calor. | Flights are cancelled because of the heat wave. |
Note: When using por as because of, we usually use it with a noun:
El metro está cerrado por la nieve. (The subway is closed because of the storm.)
Intercambio (exchange):
| Pagué dos millones por mi casa. | I paid two million for my house. |
| Juan cambió su moto por una bicicleta. | Juan exchanged his motorcycle for a bike. |
As the word per:
| La aerolínea solo permite una maleta por persona. | The airline only allows one suitcase per person. |
