Por/para Flashcards
To indicate a recipient
The gift is for you.
Para
Este regalo es para ti.
In passive constructions
The book was written by Nicole Smith.
Por
El libro fue escrito por Nicole Smith.
To express a contrast from what is expected
For a child, he reads very well.
Para
Para un niño lee muy bien.
To express an undetermined, or general time, meaning “during”
One can see the stars during the night
Por
Se puede ver las estrellas por la noche.
To express a length of time
I studied for two hours
Por
Yo estudié por dos horas.
To indicate destination
The man left for Madrid
Para
El hombre salió para Madrid
When talking about exchange, including sales
He gave me ten dollars for the book
Por
Él me dio diez dólares por el libro
Meaning “through”, “along”, “by” or “in the area of”
We walk through the park
Por
Andamos por el parque
For multiplication or division
Two time two equals four
Por
Dos por dos son cuatro.
To mean “on behalf of” or “in favor of”
I didn’t vote for anyone
Por
No voté por nadie.
“Estar por” means to be in the mood or inclined to do something
I’m in the mood for drinking coffee
Por
Estoy por tomar café
To express cause or reason
The man died for lack of water
Por
El hombre murió por falta de agua.
In cases of mistaken identity, or meaning “to be seen as”
Por
Me tienen por loco
For means of communication or transportation
I prefer to travel by train and speak by phone
Por
Prefiero viajar por tren y hablar por teléfono.
To mean “in order to” or “for the purpose of”
To make a paella, first sauté the meats.
Para
Para hacer una paella, primero dore las carnes.
“Está para” to express an action that will soon be completed.
The train is about to leave.
Para
El tren está para salir.
When followed by an infinitive, to express an action that remains to be completed, use por + infinitive
Dinner has yet to be cooked
Por
La cena está por cocinar
To express gratitude or apology
Thanks for the help
Por
Gracias por la ayuda
For velocity, frequency and proportion
I go to the restaurant five times per week
Por
Voy al restaurante cinco veces por semana
To show the reason for an errand (with ir, venir, pasar, mandar, volver and preguntar)
I’ll come by for you at eight o’clock
Por
Paso por ti a las ocho.
To show the use or purpose of a think
The glass is for water
Para
El vaso es para agua.
To express a deadline or a specific time.
I need the dress by Monday.
Para
Necesito el vestido para el lunes.
Duration of time (for, in, during)
I lived there for more than three years.
Yes, during the morning and during the afternoon.
Por
Viví allí por más de tres años.
Sí, por la mañana y por la tarde.
General area (around)
Excuse me, is there a copy machine around here?
Por
Perdón, ¿hay una fotocopiadora por aquí?
