Spanish grammar · Intermediate (B1)
Por and para
When to use por and when to use para, two Spanish words that can both mean “for”, with the most useful fixed expressions.
The basic idea
Both and can translate “for”, but they're not interchangeable. As a rule of thumb, points forward, to a goal: a purpose, a destination, a deadline, the person who receives something. points back to a cause, or describes the way, the route or an exchange.
Para
Before an infinitive, means “(in order) to”. With a different subject, use + subjunctive.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| purpose | (I'm learning Catalan to work better.) |
| destination | (the train to Seville) |
| deadline | (I need it by Friday.) |
| recipient | (This present is for you.) |
| opinion | (For me, it's better.) |
| length of a stay | (a room for two nights) |
Por
is also used with the parts of the day and in passive sentences, where it means “by”: …
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| reason, cause | (I've moved because of work.) |
| means | |
| exchange, price, per | (three euros per transfer) |
| through, along, around | (to walk along the beach) |
| thanks | (Thanks for everything.) |
| part of the day |
Useful fixed expressions
Some expressions are best learned as a whole.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| that's why | |
| please | |
| of course | |
| by mistake | |
| everywhere | |
| / | why? (reason) / what for? (purpose) |