Por vs para: the difference, with examples

English speakers tend to reach for para whenever they want to say “for”, and that is exactly the trap. Spanish splits English “for” into two words, and por also covers “by”, “through”, “per” and “because of”. Once you sort them by their core meaning, it gets much easier.

The short version: para points ahead to a goal (where to, what for, who for, by when). Por names a cause, or describes the means, the route or an exchange (why, how, through where, in exchange for what).

para: goal and purpose

Use para for a purpose, a recipient, a destination or a deadline:

Purpose (“in order to”): Ahorro dinero para comprar un coche. (I'm saving money to buy a car.)
Recipient: Este regalo es para ti. (This gift is for you.)
Destination: Salgo para Madrid. (I'm leaving for Madrid.)
Deadline: Es para el lunes. (It's due on Monday.)
Opinion: Para mí, es fácil. (For me, it's easy.)

por: cause, means and exchange

Use por for a reason, a means, a route, a time of day or an exchange:

Reason (“because of”): Gracias por tu ayuda. (Thanks for your help.)
Means: Hablamos por teléfono. (We talk on the phone.)
Movement through or along: Camino por el parque. (I walk through the park.)
Exchange or price: Lo compré por 10 euros. (I bought it for 10 euros.)
Time of day: Estudio por la mañana. (I study in the morning.)
Rate and agent: dos veces por semana (twice a week), escrito por Cervantes (written by Cervantes).

The memory aid

Ask yourself: is this about a goal or a purpose (what for, in order to, where to, by when)? Then para. Is it about a reason, a means or an exchange (because of, through, by, in exchange for)? Then por.

One pair shows the difference especially well. Este regalo es para ti (This gift is for you) makes you the recipient. Lo hago por ti (I'm doing it for you) makes you the reason: for your sake, or in your place. English says “for” both times, Spanish doesn't.

And “thank you for” is always por (gracias por), because you are naming the reason for your thanks. Remember that one and you avoid the most common mistake.

Frequently asked questions

Is it gracias por or gracias para?+

Always gracias por, because por names the reason you are thankful. Gracias para is wrong.

How do I quickly remember por and para?+

para = goal or purpose (where to, what for, by when). por = cause, means or exchange (why, through what, in exchange for what). Asking these two questions solves most cases.

How do I say “for two hours” in Spanish?+

For how long something lasted, Spanish often uses no preposition at all: Estudié dos horas (I studied for two hours). Durante dos horas also works, and in Latin America you will often hear por dos horas. Don't use para for a length of time like this.

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