Por or para? Use para when there is a destination, a goal or a purpose: it's an arrow that goes in one direction and doesn't come back. Use por when there is an exchange, a substitution, a cause or movement with no fixed destination: it's a two-way arrow, like a pair of scales. In this article I explain the difference with examples, every use of each preposition and the mistakes I see most often as a DELE examiner.

If you prefer to watch it, here's the video (in Spanish):

Why choosing between por and para is so hard

Prepositions are the hardest part of any language, and the reason is almost always the same: we try to translate them directly from our own language. With por and para translation doesn't work, because in many languages both are translated with the same word (“for” in English).

On top of that, por and para are interchangeable in many sentences. Both options are grammatically correct, but the meaning changes. With ser and estar, if you say “yo soy en Sevilla”, a native speaker understands you and notices the mistake. With por and para, nobody notices a mistake: they simply understand something different from what you meant.

Look at these two examples:

  • Lucía canta por María. María is the lead singer, but she's ill, so Lucía sings instead of her. There is a substitution.
  • Lucía canta para María. Lucía sings to María. María is the one receiving the song.

The same happens with “trabaja por mi madre” (she's covering for my mother because she's ill) and “trabaja para mi madre” (she works for my mother), or with “trabaja por dinero” (hours in exchange for money) and “trabaja para ganar dinero” (earning money is the goal).

The visual trick: para is an arrow, por is a pair of scales

Instead of memorising separate rules, give each preposition an image.

  • Para = a one-way arrow. It leaves a starting point and moves straight towards a destination. It doesn't come back. If I give you a fan and say “esto es para ti”, I don't expect you to give it back.
  • Por = a two-headed arrow or a pair of scales. Whatever comes before and after por balances out: there is an exchange, an equivalence or a movement back and forth. When you say “gracias por tu ayuda”, you give me help and I give you thanks.

When to use para: every use with examples

1. Destination of an object or a person

When something is meant for a place or a person: “Esta lámpara es para tu oficina” (This lamp is for your office).

2. Recipient of something or of an action

Who receives something: “Tengo dinero para Juan” (I have money for Juan).

3. Direction of movement

A straight path towards a place: “Voy para tu casa” (I'm heading to your house).

4. Personal goal or aspiration

You do something now to reach a point in the future: “Estudio para ser médica” (I'm studying to become a doctor).

5. Purpose or use of something

What something is for: “El lápiz sirve para escribir” (A pencil is for writing). With this meaning, para is followed by an infinitive.

6. Deadline

When something has to be done by: “Tengo que hacer los deberes para el domingo” (I have to do my homework by Sunday).

7. Personal opinion

A subjective view that comes from you: “Para mí, no es importante” (For me, it isn't important).

8. Comparison with what is expected

When something breaks the standard you have in mind: “Eres muy alto para tu edad” (You're very tall for your age).

9. A time period everyone knows

A general time reference, like summer or Christmas: “Busco trabajo para el verano” (I'm looking for a job for the summer).

When to use por: every use with examples

1. Substitution

One thing replaces another: “Hemos cambiado las clases presenciales por clases virtuales” (We've swapped in-person classes for online classes).

2. Exchange

You give something and get something equivalent back: “Te doy mi manzana por tu naranja” (I'll give you my apple for your orange).

3. Cause or reason, and thanks

“Gracias por tu ayuda” (Thanks for your help). There's a balance here too between what you receive and what you give.

4. Movement within an area, with no fixed destination

“Voy andando por el parque” means you're inside the park, walking around it. “Voy andando para el parque” means the park is where you're going.

5. A place you pass through

A point along the way: “Voy para tu casa pasando por el centro” (I'm going to your house through the town centre).

6. Feelings and emotions

They tend to be mutual or equivalent: “Tengo mucho respeto por ti y por tu trabajo” (I have a lot of respect for you and your work).

7. Means of communication

The channel information travels back and forth through: “Nos escribimos por correo electrónico” (We write to each other by email).

8. Parts of the day

“Por la mañana”, “por la tarde”, “por la noche”: “Voy al instituto por la mañana” (I go to school in the morning).

9. Price or rate

“Son 35 euros por hora” (It's 35 euros per hour). One hour equals 35 euros: a balance again.

10. Fixed expressions

Some expressions always take por and are best learned as a block: por ejemplo, por eso, por supuesto, por fin, por lo tanto, por cierto.

Para + infinitive and a por + noun

To talk about a goal with a verb, use para + infinitive: “Voy al supermercado para comprar comida” (I'm going to the supermarket to buy food).

In Spain, a por + noun is also very common and means “to go and get something”: “Voy al supermercado a por comida”. And yes, that's where the name of this project comes from: A por el DELE means “let's go and get the DELE”.

Por and para in the DELE exam

The DELE won't ask you for the rule, but por and para are everywhere: in the writing test, the speaking test and the grammar tasks in reading comprehension. A wrong choice doesn't always stop people understanding you, but it changes the meaning and costs you precision.

My tip for the exam: before writing por or para, ask yourself whether there's an arrow heading to a destination (para) or a pair of scales balancing out (por). And if you're unsure with time expressions, durante is usually the safest option: “Fueron amigas durante muchos años”.

If you're preparing the writing test, this article can also help: Useful structures for the DELE A2 and B1 writing test.

FAQ about por and para

What is the main difference between por and para?

Para expresses destination, goal, purpose or deadline: a direction that doesn't come back. Por expresses cause, exchange, substitution, means or movement through a place: something that goes back and forth or balances out.

Is it “gracias por” or “gracias para”?

Always gracias por: “Gracias por tu ayuda”. It's an exchange: you help me and I thank you.

Is it “por la mañana” or “para la mañana”?

To say when you do something, por la mañana. Para mañana (without the article) is a deadline: “Lo necesito para mañana” (I need it by tomorrow).

Para or por with an infinitive?

For purpose, para + infinitive: “Estudio para aprobar el DELE”. Por + infinitive expresses cause: “Me multaron por aparcar mal” (I got fined for parking badly).

What does “a por” mean?

In Spain, ir a por algo means “to go and get it”: “Voy a por pan” (I'm going to get bread). It's very common in spoken Spanish.

Summary

  • Para is a one-way arrow: destination, recipient, direction, goal, purpose, deadline, opinion and comparison.
  • Por is a pair of scales or a two-way arrow: substitution, exchange, cause, movement without a destination, a place you pass through, emotions, means, parts of the day and price.
  • Both can be correct in the same sentence, but the meaning changes.
  • For goals with a verb, para + infinitive; in Spain, also a por + noun.

Resources to prepare for the DELE

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¡A por el DELE! 🇪🇸