Por y para

Por y para
 There are two ways to
express “for” in Spanish:
 Por
 Para
 But which one??
Previous examples:
 Think of some situations
that you already know:
 Por favor.
 ¿Por qué?
 ???
What’s the difference?
 There is a difference. Learn
the rules for each, starting
with Para. So if you can’t find
a rule to go with Para, then
use Por.
 Use an acronym for para:
P.E.R.F.E.C.T.
P.E.R.F.E.C.T.
 Use para when talking about:
 Purpose: “in order to”: used together with an






infinitive.
Effect that something or someone has on something or
someone else.
Recipient
Future dates, deadlines (specific)
Employment, for whom someone works or for what
something is used
Comparison, state an opinion
Toward a specific place, indicates movement
Purpose
 Purpose: “in order to”:
used together with an
infinitive.
 Estudio para sacar buenas
notas.
Effect
 Effect that something has
on something else.
 Voy a la universidad para
ser maestro.
 Sometimes the infinitive is
left out.
Recipient
 Recipient: the person or
thing that receives
something:
 Este regalo es para ti.
Future
 Future dates, deadlines
(specific)
 Esta tarea es para mañana
y el proyecto es para el
lunes.
Employment
 Employment, for what
something is used
 Trabajo para McDonald’s.
 La pluma es para escribir.
Comparison, opinions
 Comparison, state an
opinion
 Para un niño de cinco años,
lee y escribe muy bien.
 Para mí, no es buena
película.
Toward
 Toward a specific place,
indicates movement
 Camina para el parque.
What about ‘por’?
 Basically, por is used when
P.E.R.F.E.C.T. does not apply.
 There have been many phrases
that specifically use por, from
previous vocabulary.
Por
 Express that something is done by someone or








something
Around a place, by, along, through
Means of transportation or communication
Reason for doing something, because of, in place of
After, as in “going to get something”, object of an
errand
Indicate frequency, number, rate, or velocity (per)
Thanks for…
Exchange
Duration of time
Express that something is done
by someone or something
 El artículo es por Diego.
Around, by, along, through
 Caminamos por la playa.
 ¿Hay un banco por aquí?
Means of transportation or
communication.
 Voy por coche.
 Hablamos por teléfono.
Reason for doing something,
because of, in place of
 Voy a la tienda por mi
madre.
 ¿Por qué llegaste tarde?
 Por el tráfico.
After, object of an errand
 After, as in “going to get
something”; usually used
after ir.
 Voy al supermercado por
pan y leche.
Indicate frequency, number,
rate,or velocity (per)
 Hay 12 por docena.
Thanks for…
 Thanks: use por after
“gracias.”
 Gracias por la ayuda.
Exchange
 Exchange
 Quiero cambiar estos
zapatos rojos por esos
negros.
Duration of time
 Viví allí por más de diez
años.
With Estar
 Estar para – about to…
 Estoy para leer. I’m about to read.
 Estar por – yet to…
 Estoy por leer. I have yet to read.