Por versus Para Flashcards
separately
por separado
to express cause or reason
The man died for lack of water.
POR
El hombre murió por falta de agua
to show the use or purpose of a thing
The glass is for water.
PARA
El vaso es para agua.
when followed by an infinitive, to express an action that remains to be completed, use p*** + infinitive
Dinner has yet to be cooked.
POR
La cena está por cocinar
generally
por lo general
of course
por supuesto
“estar p***” to express an action that will soon be completed
The girl is about to give birth.
PARA
La chica está para dar a luz.
for the love of God
por amor de Dios
Juan compró el regalo para María.
Juan bought the gift for Maria. (he bought it to give to her)
meaning “through,” “along,” “by” or “in the area of”
We walk through the park.
POR
Andamos por el parque
consequently / therefore
por lo tanto
on all sides
por todos lados
for example
por ejemplo
unfortunately
por desgracia
to indicate a recipient
This gift is for you.
PARA
Este regalo es para ti.
please
por favor
word for word
palabra por palabra
“estar p***” means to be in the mood, or inclined to do something
I’m in the mood for drinking coffee.
POR
Estoy por tomar café
finally
por último
in advance
He paid in advance
por adelantado
Pagó por adelantado
to express a deadline or specific time
I need the dress by Monday.
PARA
Necesito el vestido para el lunes.
percent
por ciento
as for me
por mi parte
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.
on the other hand
por otra parte
to express gratitude or apology
Thanks for the help.
POR
Gracias por la ayuda
nowhere
por ningún lado
when talking about exchange, including sales (price)
He gave me ten dollars for the book.
POR
Él me dio diez dólares por el libro
everywhere
por todas partes
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 express a length of time
I studied for two hours.
POR
Yo estudié por dos horas
for velocity, frequency and proportion
I go to the restaurant five times per week.
POR
Voy al restaurante cinco veces por semana
for the first time
por primera vez
finally
por fin
for now
por ahora
therefore
por eso
apparently
por lo visto
to mean “on behalf of,” or “in favor of,”
I didn’t vote for anyone.
POR
No voté por nadie
by chance
por casualidad
in cases of mistaken identity, or meaning “to be seen as”
They take me for crazy.
POR
Me tienen por loco
in passive constructions
The book was written by Octavio Paz.
POR
El libro fue escrito por Octavio Paz
Juan compró el regalo por María.
Juan bought the gift for Maria. (he bought it because she could not)
around there; that way
por allí
around here; this way
por aquí
by means of
por medio de
inside
por dentro
completely
por completo
fortunately
por suerte
for multiplication and division
Two times two equals four.
POR
Dos por dos son cuatro
to indicate destination
The man left for Madrid.
PARA
El hombre salió para Madrid.
certainly
por cierto
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 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 contrast from what is expected
For a child, he reads very well.
PARA
Para un niño lee muy bien.
at least
por lo menos
