Preposition 'para' versus 'por'
Preposición 'para' versus 'por'
- para
- about to (imminent action or event)[1]
- Estoy para salir. = I'm about to go out.
- ¡Está para explotar! = It's about to explode!
- by (deadline or specific time)
- Tengo que terminar para las diez. = I need to finish by ten.
- due (deadline or specific time)
- El informe es para el lunes. = The report is due Monday.
- for (recipient or beneficiary)
- El regalo es para tí. = The gift is for you.
- ¿Para quien? = For whom?
- for (usage or purpose)
- La alfombra es para la casa. = The carpet is for the house.
- ¿Para qué? = For what?
- for (opinion)
- Para mí es bueno. = For me it's good.
- Rojo no es para mí. = Red is not for me.
- for (comparison)
- Tengo buena salud para mí edad. = I have good health for my age.
- for (destination)
- Voy para Santiago hoy. = I leave for Santiago today.
- ¿Para dónde vas? = Where are you going?
- for (deadline or specific time)
- El informe es para el lunes. = The report is for Monday.
- to (usage or purpose)[2]
- Para cocinar, se necesita fuego. = To cook, fire is needed.
- Estudio para aprender. = I study to learn.
- por
- about to (imminent action or event)[1]
- Estoy por salir. = I'm about to go out.
- ¡Está por explotar! = It's about to explode!
- across (direction)
- Camino por la calle. = I walk across the street.[3]
- at (emotion)
- Siento enojado por ti. = I am angry at you.
- because of (reason)
- No salgo por mi salud. = I don't go out because of my health.
- ¡Por eso! = Because of that!
- by (location)[4]
- Por la puerta. = By the door.
- by (authorship)
- Una novela escrita por George Orwell. = A novel written by George Orwell.
- by (manner)
- Viajo por tren. = I travel by train.
- Envio por correo. = I send by mail.
- due to (motive or reason)
- No salgo por mi salud. = I don't go out due to my health.
- ¡Por eso! = Due to that!
- for (duration)
- Trabajo por ocho horas. = I work for eight hours.
- for (emotion)
- Tengo amor por ti. = I have love for you.
- Gracias por eso. = Thanks for that.
- for (exchange)
- Pague 5000 pesos por los zapatos. = I paid 5000 pesos for the shoes.
- Te cambio mi agua por tu comida. = I'll trade (with you) my water for your food.
- for (motive or reason)
- Lo hago por ti. = I do it for you.
- Por esa razón. = For that reason.
- Él murió por falta de agua. = He died for lack of water.
- for (substitution)
- Trabajo por ti mañana. = I work for you tomorrow.[5]
- Fui por mi madre quien está enferma. = I went for my mother who is sick.[5]
- Lo firmé por ti. = I signed it for you.[6]
- in (time)
- Me gusta comer por la mañana. = I like to eat in the morning.
- on (communication)
- Hablamos por teléfono. = Let's talk on the phone.
- over (direction)
- ¡Ve por allí! = Go over there!
- per (each)
- Pago por día. = I pay per day.
- through (direction)[4]
- Por la puerta. = Through the door.
- Viajo por Chile. = I travel through Chile.
- Camino por las calles. = I walk through the streets.[3]
- ^ a b Usage varies by region.
- ^ Can also be translated as in order to.
- ^ a b Compare the two examples.
- ^ a b "Por la puerta" can mean both by the door and through the door. The meaning is inferred from the context. A less ambiguous way to say through the door is "a través la puerta".
- ^ a b Can also be translated as instead of.
- ^ Can also be translated as on behalf of.