Spanish Prepositions - por vs. para
Follow the links below:
To express the idea of "in my opinion"
Para mí, el carro verde es mejor. - In my opinion, the green car is better.
Para Luis, el rojo es el máximo. - In Luis's opinion, the red one is the best.
To indicate the place toward which someone is going
Voy para Oaxaca. - I am going to Oaxaca.
Salimos para la tienda a las doce. - We left for the store at twelve.
To convey the time limit of a particular action
Tendrás que terminar para lunes. - You'll have to finish by Monday.
Quiero las fotos para las tres. - I want the pictures by three.
Para + Infinitive: "In order to" and the expression of purpose
Para sacar buenas notas hay que estudiar. - To get good grades you have to study.
Estos zapatos son buenos para bailar. - These shoes are good for dancing.
To express suitability
Los vestidos son para las mujeres. - Dresses are for women.
Este tornillo es para mi bicicleta. - This screw is for my bike.
To express the reason or motive for an action
Lo hice por tí. - I did it for you.
Cancelaron el partido por la lluvia. - They cancelled the game because of the rain.
Austin es conocido por su música. - Austin is known for its music.
To indicate a place where movement is occurring
Los ladrones entraron por la ventana. - The burglars came in through the window.
Vamos por la calle sexta. - We're going by way of Sixth Street.
Periods of time: parts of the day
por la mañana - in the morning
por la tarde - in the afternoon
por la noche - in the evening
por la noche - at night
por la madrugada - in the early morning
Por = per
Estoy contigo cien por ciento. - I'm with you one hundred percent.
Íbamos a 80 millas por hora. - We were going 80 miles per hour.
Gano diez dólares por hora. - I make ten dollars per hour.
To express price or an exchange
Te doy mi reloj por tu bici. - I'll give you my watch for your bike.
Lo compré por quince dólares. - I bought it for fifteen dollars.
Por + means of transportation
Vine por avión. - I came by plane.
Fuimos a Veracruz por autobús. - We went to Veracruz by bus.
Por = by
Esa canción fue escrita por Tracy Chapman. - That song was written by Tracy Chapman.
Category: General Spanish
