Explanation
Por and para are Spanish prepositions that often both translate as 'for'. Por expresses cause, means, duration and exchange; para expresses purpose, recipient, destination and deadlines.
This pair confuses learners as much as ser and estar, because English collapses both into "for".
Por looks backwards to a cause
Por answers "why did this happen?" — cause, means of travel, duration, exchange, and doing something on someone's behalf.
Para looks forwards to a goal
Para answers "what is this for?" — purpose, recipient, destination and deadline.
The arrow trick
Picture para as an arrow pointing forwards to a target, and por as an arrow pointing back to a reason.
Key points
- Por marks cause, means, duration and exchange.
- Para marks purpose, recipient, destination and deadline.
- Gracias por always takes por.
- Para mí means 'for me' or 'in my opinion'.
- Prices and exchanges take por: Lo compré por diez euros.
Examples
Gracias por tu ayuda.
Thanks for your help. (cause — por)
Este regalo es para ti.
This gift is for you. (recipient — para)
Estudio español para trabajar en España.
I study Spanish in order to work in Spain. (purpose)
Viajamos por tren.
We travel by train. (means — por)
Common mistakes
- Saying Gracias para tu ayuda instead of Gracias por tu ayuda.
- Using para for prices: Lo compré para diez euros should be por diez euros.
- Confusing por la mañana (during the morning) with para mañana (by tomorrow).