Por vs. para: Two words for “for” | Spanish grammar

Both can mean “for”, but they look in different directions. Para points ahead to a goal. Por looks at the cause, the route or the exchange.

Quick rule

If you can say “in order to” or “intended for”, it’s para. If you can say “because of”, “through” or “in exchange for”, it’s por.

Para: goal, recipient, destination, deadline

Para points to where something is headed: a purpose, a person who receives something, a destination or a deadline. It also introduces an opinion.

Estudio español para trabajar en México.I study Spanish to work in Mexico.
Este regalo es para ti.This present is for you.
Mañana salgo para Madrid.Tomorrow I’m leaving for Madrid.
Necesito el informe para el lunes.I need the report by Monday.
Para mí, es la mejor película del año.For me, it’s the best film of the year.

Por: cause, route, exchange, means

Por explains why something happens, the way through or along somewhere, what something is exchanged for, and the means used. It also means “per” and introduces who did something in the passive.

Gracias por tu ayuda.Thanks for your help.
Paseamos por el parque.We walk through the park.
Compré la bici por cien euros.I bought the bike for a hundred euros.
Hablamos por teléfono.We talk on the phone.
El límite es de 50 kilómetros por hora.The limit is 50 kilometres per hour.
Don Quijote fue escrito por Cervantes.Don Quixote was written by Cervantes.

One sentence, two meanings

Swap por and para and the meaning changes.

Lo hago para ti.I’m doing it for you (as a gift).

Lo hago por ti.I’m doing it because of you / for your sake.

Salgo para Madrid.I’m leaving for Madrid.

Paso por Madrid.I’m passing through Madrid.

Trabajo para mi padre.I work for my father (he is my boss).

Trabajo por mi padre.I work in my father’s place.

Fixed expressions with por

Learn these as complete phrases.

por favorplease
por finfinally
por ejemplofor example
por esothat’s why
por supuestoof course

Common mistakes

Wrong: Gracias para todo. Right: Gracias por todo.

You thank someone because of something: por.
Wrong: Estudio por aprobar el examen. Right: Estudio para aprobar el examen.

A purpose (in order to): para.
Wrong: Este libro es por mi madre. Right: Este libro es para mi madre.

The person who receives it: para.

Test yourself

Pick the right option. You get an explanation straight away.

1Gracias ___ el regalo.
2Este café es ___ ti.
3Necesito el informe ___ el viernes.
4Caminamos ___ la playa.
5Estudio español ___ viajar por Sudamérica.

Por vs. para