Por versus ParaPor versus Para

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

Las palabras Las palabras porpor y y parapara tienen unos sentidos muy tienen unos sentidos muy específicos en español.específicos en español.

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

En inglés se puede traducir En inglés se puede traducir en en for, by, through, in order for, by, through, in order to, along, in favor of, instead to, along, in favor of, instead of of y más. y más.

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

Además la palabra inglesa Además la palabra inglesa forfor a veces tiene el sentido de a veces tiene el sentido de porpor en español y a veces el en español y a veces el sentido de sentido de para.para.

ParaPara

ParaPara is used to indicate is used to indicate purposepurpose::

Leemos para aprender.Leemos para aprender.

We read in order to learn.We read in order to learn.

oror

We read to learn.We read to learn.

ParaPara

ParaPara is used to indicate is used to indicate something something abnormalabnormal::

Para americano Ud. habla el Para americano Ud. habla el español muy bien.español muy bien.

For an American, you speak For an American, you speak Spanish very well.Spanish very well.

ParaPara

ParaPara is used to indicate is used to indicate destinationdestination::

Marta sale para Nueva York hoy.Marta sale para Nueva York hoy.

Marta is leaving for New York Marta is leaving for New York today.today.

ParaPara

ParaPara is used to indicate a is used to indicate a recipientrecipient::

Esta pulsera es para mi novia.Esta pulsera es para mi novia.

This bracelet is for my girlfriend.This bracelet is for my girlfriend.

ParaPara

ParaPara is used to indicate recipient. is used to indicate recipient. The recipient does not have to The recipient does not have to

be a person.be a person.

Este volante es para mi coche.Este volante es para mi coche.

This steering wheel is for my car.This steering wheel is for my car.

Por versus ParaPor versus Para There is an exception to the There is an exception to the

recipient rule:recipient rule:

If the recipient is receiving a If the recipient is receiving a “feeling” or “emotion”, then we “feeling” or “emotion”, then we use use por.por.

Mi amor será siempre por ti.Mi amor será siempre por ti.

My love will always be for you.My love will always be for you.

ParaPara

ParaPara is used to indicate is used to indicate opinionopinion::

Para el alumno bueno, es Para el alumno bueno, es importante estudiar.importante estudiar.

For the good student, it is For the good student, it is important to study.important to study.

ParaPara

ParaPara is used to indicate a is used to indicate a deadlinedeadline::

Uds. tendrán que terminar el Uds. tendrán que terminar el ensayo para las dos y media.ensayo para las dos y media.

You will have to finish the essay You will have to finish the essay by 2:30.by 2:30.

ParaPara

PPurposeurpose AAbnormalbnormal DDestination estination RRecipientecipient OOpinionpinion DDeadline eadline

Padrod!Padrod!

PorPor

PorPor is used to indicate is used to indicate actionsactions::

their cause, motivation, or means:their cause, motivation, or means:

La bicicleta fue roto por Mario.La bicicleta fue roto por Mario.

The bicycle was broken by Mario.The bicycle was broken by Mario.

PorPor

PorPor is used to indicate is used to indicate actionsactions::

their cause, motivation, or means:their cause, motivation, or means:

Fueron por barco.Fueron por barco.

They went by boat.They went by boat.

PorPor

PorPor is used to indicate is used to indicate actionsactions::

their cause, motivation, or means:their cause, motivation, or means:

Berta fue a la tienda por Coca Cola.Berta fue a la tienda por Coca Cola.

Berta went to the store for Coca Berta went to the store for Coca Cola.Cola.

PorPor

PorPor is used to indicate is used to indicate movementmovement::

Movement through space:Movement through space:

Paco caminó por el bosque.Paco caminó por el bosque.

Paco walked through the woods.Paco walked through the woods.

PorPor

PorPor is used to indicate is used to indicate movementmovement::

Movement through time:Movement through time:

Paco caminó por dos días.Paco caminó por dos días.

Paco walked for two days.Paco walked for two days.

PorPor

PorPor is used to indicate is used to indicate emotionemotion::

(We mentioned this earlier.)(We mentioned this earlier.)

Elena se sintió triste por su Elena se sintió triste por su mamá.mamá.

Elena felt sad for her mother.Elena felt sad for her mother.

PorPor

PorPor is used to indicate is used to indicate exchangeexchange::

One thing for another:One thing for another:

Te doy un dólar por los dulces.Te doy un dólar por los dulces.

I will give you a dollar for the candy.I will give you a dollar for the candy.

PorPor

PorPor is used to indicate is used to indicate exchangeexchange::

In place of:In place of:

Iré por Juan.Iré por Juan.

I will go in place of Juan.I will go in place of Juan.

PorPor

PorPor is used to indicate is used to indicate exchangeexchange::

Interchangeability (representation):Interchangeability (representation):

Puede pasar por nativo.Puede pasar por nativo.

He can pass for a native.He can pass for a native.

PorPor

AActionction MMovementovement EEmotion motion EExchange xchange

Amee!Amee!

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

Try these short sentences.Try these short sentences.

1.1. Anduvo por/para la calle.Anduvo por/para la calle.

2.2. Dio dos pesos por/para la Dio dos pesos por/para la carne.carne.

3.3. Tenía mucho amor por/para su Tenía mucho amor por/para su nieta.nieta.

4.4. Estudié por/para una semana.Estudié por/para una semana.

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

If you said If you said por por for each of the for each of the above, you were correct!above, you were correct!

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

What do these two What do these two sentences mean?sentences mean?

1.1. Carlos trabaja para José.Carlos trabaja para José.

2.2. Carlos trabaja por José.Carlos trabaja por José.

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

You were right if you said:You were right if you said:

1.1. Carlos trabaja para José. Carlos trabaja para José.

Carlos works for José. (José Carlos works for José. (José is the recipient of Carlos’ is the recipient of Carlos’ labor – José is Carlos’ boss.)labor – José is Carlos’ boss.)

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

You were right if you said:You were right if you said:

2.2. Carlos trabaja por José. Carlos trabaja por José.

Carlos works for José. (José is Carlos works for José. (José is missing and Carlos is doing missing and Carlos is doing his work for him – replacing his work for him – replacing him.)him.)

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

Try these short sentences.Try these short sentences.

1.1. Iba por/para San Diego.Iba por/para San Diego.

2.2. Trabaja por/para ganar dinero.Trabaja por/para ganar dinero.

3.3. El regalo era por/para su nieta.El regalo era por/para su nieta.

4.4. Por/Para un bebé, duerme Por/Para un bebé, duerme mucho.mucho.

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

If you said If you said para para for each of for each of the above, you were correct!the above, you were correct!

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

Also Also para para is used after is used after estarestar to mean to mean to be about to.to be about to.

Estoy para salir.Estoy para salir.

I am about to leave.I am about to leave.

Por versus ParaPor versus Para

On the other hand On the other hand por por is is used after used after estarestar to mean to mean to to be in favor of.be in favor of.

Estoy por salir.Estoy por salir.

I am in favor of leaving.I am in favor of leaving.

PorPor

Additionally there are many Additionally there are many idiomatic expression that idiomatic expression that begin with begin with por por ::

PorPor

1.1. Por allá Por allá – that way, around there– that way, around there

2.2. Por aquí Por aquí – this way, around here– this way, around here

3.3. Por ahora Por ahora – for now– for now

4.4. Por aquel entonces Por aquel entonces – at that time– at that time

5.5. Por completo Por completo – completely– completely

6.6. Por culpa de Por culpa de – by fault of– by fault of

7.7. Por desgracia Por desgracia – unfortunately– unfortunately

PorPor

8.8. Por ejemplo Por ejemplo – for example– for example

9.9. Por esa época Por esa época – at that time– at that time

10.10. Por la mañana Por la mañana – in the morning– in the morning

11.11. Por la tarde Por la tarde – in the afternoon– in the afternoon

12.12. Por la noche Por la noche – at night– at night

13.13. Por lo contrario Por lo contrario – on the contrary– on the contrary

14.14. Por lo demás Por lo demás – furthermore– furthermore

PorPor

15.15. Por lo menos Por lo menos – at least– at least

16.16. Por lo mismo Por lo mismo – for that very – for that very reasonreason

17.17. Por lo pronto Por lo pronto – for the time being– for the time being

18.18. Por lo tanto Por lo tanto – consequently– consequently

19.19. Por otra parte Por otra parte – on the other hand– on the other hand

20.20. Por un lado Por un lado – on one hand– on one hand

21.21. Por otro lado Por otro lado – on the other hand– on the other hand

PorPor

22.22. Por motivo de Por motivo de – on account of– on account of

23.23. Por lo visto Por lo visto – apparently– apparently

24.24. Por poco Por poco – almost– almost

25.25. Por todos lados Por todos lados – everywhere– everywhere

26.26. Por todas partes Por todas partes – everywhere– everywhere

27.27. Por lo que a mí me toca Por lo que a mí me toca – as – as far as I am concernedfar as I am concerned

ParaPara

And, there are a few idiomatic And, there are a few idiomatic expression that begin with expression that begin with para para ::

ParaPara

1.1. Para siempre Para siempre – forever– forever

2.2. Para nada Para nada – no way (not for – no way (not for anything)anything)

3.3. Para que Para que – so that– so that