The rule, in plain English
Use para when you are pointing towards a goal, destination, recipient, or deadline: Estudio para aprender; Este regalo es para Ana; Es para el lunes. Use por for a reason, a route, a method, or an exchange: Gracias por ayudar; Camino por el parque; Te llamo por teléfono; Pago diez euros por el libro. Think para = where it is headed and por = why or how it happens.
Why it's hard for English speakers
English uses for in both a gift for you and thank you for helping. Spanish separates those ideas. Compare Lo hice para ti—it was intended for you—with Lo hice por ti—I did it because of you or on your behalf.
Worked examples
Start with these worked examples, then reveal more when you are ready.
- Estudio español para trabajar en México.I study Spanish in order to work in Mexico.Purpose and goal: Para + infinitive expresses the purpose of studying.
- Necesito una llave para abrir esta puerta.I need a key to open this door.Purpose and goal: Opening the door is the intended purpose of the key.
- Salimos temprano para no perder el tren.We are leaving early so that we don't miss the train.Purpose and goal: Para introduces the goal behind leaving early.
- Este curso sirve para practicar la conversación.This course is for practising conversation.Purpose and goal: Para states what the course is intended to be used for.
- Este paquete es para usted.This parcel is for you.Recipient, destination, deadline: Para identifies the intended recipient.
- Mañana salimos para Sevilla.Tomorrow we leave for Seville.Recipient, destination, deadline: Para points toward a destination.
- Los deberes son para el lunes.The homework is due on Monday.Recipient, destination, deadline: Para marks a deadline.
- Trabajo para una empresa internacional.I work for an international company.Recipient, destination, deadline: Para identifies the employer or organisation that receives the work.
- Gracias por tu ayuda.Thank you for your help.Cause and reason: Por introduces the reason for the thanks.
- El partido se canceló por la lluvia.The match was cancelled because of the rain.Cause and reason: Por introduces the cause of the cancellation.
- Lo hice por curiosidad.I did it out of curiosity.Cause and reason: Curiosity is the motive or reason, so use por.
- Perdón por llegar tarde.Sorry for arriving late.Cause and reason: Por introduces the reason for the apology.
Expanded comparison of uses
| Use | PARA: intended endpoint | POR: reason, route, or means |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose / reason | Estudio para aprender. (goal) | Lo hice por curiosidad. (motive) |
| Person | Este regalo es para Ana. (recipient) | Firmo por Ana. (on her behalf) |
| Place | Salimos para Madrid. (destination) | Paseamos por Madrid. (through/around) |
| Time | Es para el lunes. (deadline) | Estudio por la mañana. (part of day) |
| Work | Trabajo para una empresa. (employer) | Trabajo por dinero. (motivation/exchange) |
| Communication | Una guía para estudiantes. (intended audience) | Hablamos por teléfono. (means) |
| Price / exchange | — | Pagué diez euros por el libro. |
| Passive agent | — | Fue escrito por Cervantes. |
| Viewpoint | Para mí, es fácil. (in my opinion) | — |
| Comparison with a norm | Es alto para su edad. | — |
High-value expressions to learn as chunks
| With PARA | Meaning | With POR | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| para mí | in my opinion / for me | por ejemplo | for example |
| para siempre | forever | por favor | please |
| para entonces | by then | por eso | therefore / because of that |
| estar para + infinitive | be about to / be in the mood to | por la mañana/tarde/noche | in the morning/afternoon/at night |
| para que + subjunctive | so that | preguntar por | ask for/about |
Meaning changes when the preposition changes
| PARA | POR | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Lo hice para ti. | Lo hice por ti. | intended for you / because of you or on your behalf |
| Salimos para Sevilla. | Salimos por Sevilla. | headed to Seville / went out around Seville |
| Trabajo para una ONG. | Trabajo por una ONG. | employed by it / acting on its behalf |
| Un libro para niños. | Un libro por un niño. | intended for children / written or produced by a child |
Common mistakes
- Gracias para tu ayuda.Gracias por tu ayuda.The help is the reason for the thanks, so use por.
- Estudio por aprobar el examen.Estudio para aprobar el examen.Passing is the intended goal of studying, so use para + infinitive.
- Este regalo es por Marta. (meaning it is intended for her)Este regalo es para Marta.An intended recipient takes para. Por Marta would suggest because of her or on her behalf.
- Caminamos para el parque. (meaning through the park)Caminamos por el parque.Movement through or around a place takes por; para el parque would point toward it as a destination.
Practice
Este café es ___ ti.
Gracias ___ la cena.
I study to learn = Estudio ___ aprender.
Camino ___ la ciudad.
The report is for Monday = El informe es ___ el lunes.
Enviamos el contrato ___ correo.
I bought it for twenty euros = Lo compré ___ veinte euros.
Salimos ___ Madrid mañana.