Por vs. Para

Question 0

We are going to study for two days.

Answer 0

Vamos a estudiar por dos días

for (time, duration) - por. Note that in this sense, por denotes the time or duration of something

Question 1

I will walk through the streets of Spain.

Answer 1

Voy a caminar por las calles de España

through, along, around, by - por. Note that in this sense, por is used to express movement.

Question 2

Ten percent

Answer 2

diez por ciento

per - por. Note that por is sometimes used to indicate “per” as well as velocity, frequency and proportion (i.e. Este cuarto mide cinco por cinco “This room measures five by five”)

Question 3

Juan works for student rights.

Answer 3

Juan trabaja por los derechos de estudiantes

in favor of - por. Note that in this instance, por is used to show support for something, usually a cause or an organization

Question 4

That book is written by Gabriel García Márquez.

Answer 4

Ese libro es escrito por Gabriel García Márquez

by - por. Note that in this example, por introduces the agent of an action after a passive verb

Question 5

to be about to

I am about to go to eat with my friends.

Answer 5

• estar por.
  Note that in this sense, por indicates that an action is about to happen

Estoy por salir a comer con mis amigos

Question 6

by (transportation)

I will travel by car to my grandmothers house.

Answer 6

• por.
  Note that in this case, por indicates the means of transportation

Voy a viajar por carro a la casa de mi abuela

      ( vyah - HAR )

Question 7

for (gratitude)

Thank you for your help.

Answer 7

Gracias por tu ayuda

• por

Question 8

on behalf of

Fernando is going to cook on behalf of ( for ) my mother who is sick.

Answer 8

Fernando va a cocinar por mi mamá que está enferma

• por. Note that por is used to indicate doing something “on behalf of” someone
• “que” is used for “who” when it is not a question.

Question 9

because of

Marta will not go outside because of the snow.

Answer 9

Marta no sale por la nieve

• por. Note that por can be used interchangeably with a causa de
• POR is used when explanation is one word, if a lengthier explanation is required use PORQUE.

Question 10

For that reason, That’s why, Therefore

It is very cold. That is why ( Because of that ) nobody is outside.

Answer 10

• por eso.

Note that por eso literally translates to “because of that”

Hace mucho frío. Por eso nadie está afuera

Question 11

Uses for Por

Answer 11

When “for” means an exchange or conduit
to indicate movement (through, along, around, by, about)
to express time and duration (during, for)
to indicate velocity, frequency and proportion (per)
to show support for something (for, in favor of)
to introduce an agent after a passive verb (by)
to indicate a means of transportation (by)
to express gratitude or an apology (for)
to express cause or reason (because of)
to do something for someone (on behalf of)

Question 12

in order to, for the purpose of

We read this book in order to learn more quickly.

Answer 12

• para.
  Note that para is used to indicate the purpose of something and often replaces the English word “to”

Leemos este libro para aprender más rápido.

Question 13

directed to

This book is for you.

Answer 13

Este libro es para usted

• para.
  Note that in this case, para means “for the benefit of”, “directed to”, “the recipient of” when followed by a noun or a pronoun

Question 14

to (direction)

This summer, Marco is going to Spain.

Answer 14

Este verano, Marco va a ir para España

• para. Note that although you can use a instead of para, many Spanish-speakers use para when referring more to the journey than the destination

Question 15

for, by (specific time)

I want this for tomorrow.

Answer 15

Quiero esto para mañana

• para

Question 16

for (contrast)

For a child he speaks well.

Answer 16

Para un niño, él habla bien

• para. Note how para is used to express a contrast from something that is expected

Question 17

Uses of Para

Answer 17

to indicate purpose (in order to, for the purpose of)
to show who is the recipient of something (for, directed to)
to express direction to a specific place (to)
to indicate a specific time (for, by)
to express an unexpected contrast (for)
Finality or reason for doing something
More precise than “Por”

Question 18

What is the difference between:

Ella le dio 100 pesos para el pan

Ella le dio 100 pesos por el pan

Answer 18

In the first example (para), she gave him money so that he could buy the bread

In the second example (por), she gave him money in exchange for the bread

Question 19

What is the difference between:

Andan para el parque

Andan por el parque

Answer 19

They walk to (towards) the park.

They walk through the park.

Question 20

for what purpose?

For what purpose do you study Spanish?

Answer 20

• ¿Para qué?

¿Para qué estudias español?

Question 21

So that

I’m learning Spanish so that I can travel in Spain.
I am learning Spanish in order to be able to travel in Spain.

Answer 21

Para

Estoy aprendiendo español para poder viajar en España

Question 22

This food is made by my grandmother.

Answer 22

Esta comida está hecha por mi abuela.

made - hecho. Note that hecho is the past participle of the verb hacer

Question 23

Take away

Answer 23

Para llevar

Question 24

Para

I work to benefit my children.

Answer 24

The reason why or the object.

Yo trabajo para el bienestar de mis hijos.

Question 25

Somewhere here

Somewhere near here

Is their a large store near here?

Answer 25

Por aquí

Por aquí cerca

Hay un almacén por aquí cerca?

Question 26

This table is for the kitchen.

Answer 26

Esta mesa es para la cocina.

It shows a direction or final destination of the table so “para”

Question 27

It is very easy to travel by train in Spain.

Answer 27

Es muy fácil viajar por tren en España.

A method of transportation, as opposed to a destination, so “por”.

Question 28

We are leaving now to go to school.

Answer 28

Salimos para la escuela ahora.

Before a destination so “para”, also could have used “a”.

Question 29

I am going to the supermarket.

Answer 29

Voy para el supermercado.

Used before a destination so “para”.
Could have used “al”.

Question 30

I am going in the afternoon by plane to Madrid via Paris.

Answer 30

Voy por la tarde, por avión, para Madrid, por París.
Madrid is the final destination so use “para”.
Paris is a way point, or a place that is travelled through (via), and not a final destination , so use “por”.
“Afternoon” is a time of day so use “por”.
“Plane” is a method of transport and not a destination , so use “por”

Question 31

They passed over the covered bridge.

Answer 31

Pasaron por el puente cubierto.

Going “over the bridge”, is
similar to going “through the park”.
So “por” is used.

Question 32

The man leaves for the restaurant.

Answer 32

El hombre sale para el restaurante.

Question 33

To leave for (a destination)

The man left for the restaurant.

Answer 33

Salir para…..

El hombre salió para el restaurante.

Question 34

In order to…..

In order to have money you need to find a job.

Answer 34

Para + Infinitive

Para tener dinero necesitas encontrar un trabajo.

Question 35

To leave for…

The man leaves for the restaurant.

Answer 35

Salir para…

El hombre sale para el restaurante.

Question 36

For others

He serves as an example for others.

Answer 36

Para los demás.

El sirve de ejemplo para los demás.

Question 37

For example

Answer 37

Por ejemplo