Por vs. Para
(Two Words That Mean “For” — But Not the Same!)
Spanish uses two different words—por and para—that can both translate to “for” in English, but they express very different ideas. Choosing the correct one depends on the reason, purpose, or context of the action.
A helpful way to think about them is:
Para → destination, purpose, goal (toward something)
Por → cause, means, movement, exchange (because of something)
Understanding the distinction between por and para helps students communicate intentions and explanations clearly and naturally.
1) Para — Destination, Purpose, or Goal
Use para when you’re talking about:
- a destination (toward a place or goal)
- a purpose or intended use
- a deadline
- or a recipient
The “P.E.R.F.E.C.T.” acronym helps you remember:
| Letter | Meaning | Example |
| P | Purpose / goal (“in order to”) | Estudio para aprender. → I study in order to learn. |
| E | Effect | Trabajo para ganar dinero. → I work to earn money. |
| R | Recipient | Este regalo es para ti. → This gift is for you. |
| F | Future / deadline | La tarea es para mañana. → The homework is for tomorrow. |
| E | Employment | Trabajo para una escuela. → I work for a school. |
| C | Comparison | Para un niño, lee muy bien. → For a child, he reads very well. |
| T | Toward / destination | Salgo para Madrid. → I’m leaving for Madrid. |
Other examples:
- Voy a la tienda para comprar pan. → I’m going to the store to buy bread.
- Este vaso es para agua. → This glass is for water.
- Necesito el proyecto para el viernes. → I need the project by Friday.
2) Por — Cause, Method, Movement, or Exchange
Use por when you’re talking about:
- how something happens
- why something happens (reason or cause)
- movement through time or space
- exchange, duration, or agent of an action
The “A.T.R.A.C.T.E.D.” acronym helps you remember:
| Letter | Meaning | Example |
| A | Around a place | Caminamos por el parque. → We walk around the park. |
| T | Through / along / by | Paso por tu casa. → I pass by your house. |
| R | Reason / cause | Estoy cansado por trabajar tanto. → I’m tired because of working so much. |
| A | After (going for something) | Voy al supermercado por pan. → I’m going for bread. |
| C | Cost / exchange | Pagué diez euros por el libro. → I paid ten euros for the book. |
| T | Thanks / gratitude | Gracias por tu ayuda. → Thanks for your help. |
| E | Exchange / substitution | Sustituyó a Juan por Pedro. → He substituted Juan for Pedro. |
| D | Duration / time period | Vivimos allí por cinco años. → We lived there for five years. |
| M | Means / manner | Viajamos por avión. → We travel by plane. |
| P | Passive voice (by) | Fue escrito por Cervantes. → It was written by Cervantes. |
Other examples:
- Lo hice por ti. → I did it because of / for you.
- Te cambio mi postre por tu fruta. → I’ll trade you my dessert for your fruit.
- Hablamos por teléfono. → We talk by phone.
- Dormí por ocho horas. → I slept for eight hours.
3) Por vs. Para: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Meaning | Por | Para |
| Cause / Goal | Reason / because of | Purpose / in order to |
| Example | Lo hice por ti. → I did it because of you. | Lo hice para ti. → I did it for you (intended for you). |
| Movement | Through / along / by | Toward / to |
| Example | Caminamos por el parque. | Salimos para el parque. |
| Time | Duration | Deadline |
| Example | Estudié por dos horas. | La tarea es para mañana. |
| Action | Means / method | Goal / effect |
| Example | Lo mandé por correo. | Trabajo para ganar dinero. |
| Exchange | Substitute / trade | Recipient |
| Example | Pagué cinco dólares por el libro. | El regalo es para mi madre. |
| Agent | By (passive) | — |
| Example | Fue escrito por García Márquez. | — |
4) Expressions with Por
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
| por favor | please | Por favor, ayúdame. |
| por ejemplo | for example | Por ejemplo, los lunes estudio. |
| por eso | that’s why | Estoy cansado; por eso, no salgo. |
| por fin | finally | Por fin terminó la película. |
| por supuesto | of course | Por supuesto que sí. |
| por lo general | generally | Por lo general, estudio por la noche. |
| por todas partes | everywhere | Hay flores por todas partes. |
| por primera vez | for the first time | Visité España por primera vez en 2022. |
5) Expressions with Para
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
| para siempre | forever | Te recordaré para siempre. |
| para variar | for a change | Salimos temprano, para variar. |
| para entonces | by that time | Para entonces ya habremos llegado. |
| para mí / ti / él | in my / your / his opinion | Para mí, es importante. |
| no estar para bromas | not in the mood for jokes | No estoy para bromas hoy. |
6) Practice: Choose Por or Para
- Este regalo es ___ ti.
- Gracias ___ todo.
- Caminamos ___ la playa.
- Tengo que terminar el trabajo ___ mañana.
- Estudio ___ ser médico.
- Pagamos veinte euros ___ la cena.
- Viajamos ___ tren.
- Salimos ___ México el sábado.
Answers:
- para
- por
- por
- para
- para
- por
- por
- para
7) Practice: Translate
- I worked for three hours.
- This letter is for you.
- We walk through the park.
- I study in order to pass.
- Thank you for your help.
- The book was written by Borges.
Answers:
- Trabajé por tres horas.
- Esta carta es para ti.
- Caminamos por el parque.
- Estudio para aprobar.
- Gracias por tu ayuda.
- El libro fue escrito por Borges.
8) Quick Summary Chart
| Por = because of, by, through | Para = in order to, toward, for |
| Reason or cause | Purpose or goal |
| Duration of time | Deadline or specific time |
| Movement through / by | Destination or direction |
| Exchange / cost | Recipient |
| Means (by, via) | Employment |
| Passive voice (by) | Comparison / opinion |
Why Por and Para Matter
Mastering por and para helps learners:
- Express purpose, motivation, direction, and cause accurately
- Avoid direct English translation errors
- Sound more natural, fluent, and precise
- Understand authentic Spanish speech and writing, where both are used constantly
Building Proficiency for World Language Learners: 100+ High-Interest Activities
Discover over 100 dynamic activities to make world language learning interactive and fun. I wrote this book with some of my favorite activities for educators aiming to build proficiency with high-impact strategies.
Learn more and get your copy here.
5 Weeks of No and Low Prep Fun
Need quick, engaging activities for your class? This free guide includes 25 no-prep and low-prep ideas to save time while keeping students excited about learning.
Download your free copy now.
100s of videos to learn Spanish:
