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It never ceases to amaze how every language has its quirks.
In English, we have two different ways of pronouncing
vowels. And Spanish has para y por.
Below you'll find some new tricks. The old rule of thumb that
para means "intended for" just does not hold much water. It
has many more meanings and many more uses.
The Rules
“Para”
Rule 1:
Use to signify “for someone”:
Es para él.
It is for him.
Para mí, ella es la mejor doctora.
In my opinion, she is the finest doctor.
Es bueno para nosotros.
It is good for us.
Rule 2:
Use to signify destination:
Fue para Guatemala.
He went to Guatemala.
Salí para Santa Cruz.
I left for Santa Cruz.
Rule 3:
Use preceding the infinitive of a verb:
Viene para ganar su amor.
He comes to gain her love.
Para recibir su sueldo, ella tiene que trabajar.
To receive her salary, she has to work.
Rule 4:
Use to signify comparison:
Para una mujer, ella es muy fuerte.
For a woman, she is very strong.
Para ser norteamericano, habla muy bien el español.
For a north American, he speaks very good Spanish.
Rule 5:
Use to signify for which person one does something
(i.e., as an employee):
Trabaja para un doctor muy guapo.
She works for a very handsome doctor.
Limpio la casa para el señor Morales.
I clean the house for Mr. Morales.
(i.e., it is Mr. Morales’ house)
Rule 6:
Use to signify specific time:
La tarea es para hoy a las cinco de la tarde.
the homework is due today at 5:00 p.m.
Para entonces, su deseo fue insaciable.
By that time, her desire was unquenchable.
Será para siempre.
It will be forever.
Para el sábado, va a darle una sorpresa.
On Saturday, she will give him a surprise.
Rule 7:
Use to signify specific purpose:
Para variar, el bus llegó puntual.
For a change, the bus arrived on time.
Para ganar su amor, volvió una y otra vez.
For her love, he returned again and again.
Ellos son tal para cual.
They are two of a kind.
“Por”
Rule 1:
Use to signify passing through an imprecise place:
Fue por todas partes de Guatemala.
He went everywhere in Guatemala.
Fue alegre para ella que él estuviera por aquí.
It was pleasant that he was here.
Por él, ella era haría cualquier cosa.
To him, she was a sweet person.
Rule 2:
Use to signify passing through a place or area:
Pasó por México para llegar a Guatemala.
He went through México to Guatemala.
Ella pasa por esta puerta.
She passes through this door.
Rule 3:
Use to express duration of time:
Va por dos semanas para hacer el trabajo.
He goes for two weeks to do the work.
Esperó por dos años para recibir su afecto.
She waited for two years to receive his affection.
Rule 4:
Use to indicate an inexact point in time:
Va a ir hoy por la tarde.
He will go sometime this afternoon.
Volverá por junio para verla.
He will return sometime in June to see her.
Rule 5:
Use to indicate how one accomplishes something
(i.e., an action taken):
Envió la carta por correo lento.
She mailed the letter by slow mail.
Fue por avión para verla.
He went by airplane to see her.
Fue escrito por Cervantes.
It was written by Cervantes.
Rule 6:
Use to indicate the reason for, or cause of something:
Por cualquier cosa, ella se enoja.
For whatever reason, she gets angry.
Suda mucho por el ejercicio.
She sweats a great deal because of exercise.
Por su personalidad, ella tiene amigos.
Because of her personality, she has friends.
Rule 7:
Use to indicate the recipient of an action:
Ella hace todo por la familia.
She does everything for the family.
Por él, ella se siente feliz.
Because of him, she feels happy
Rule 8:
Use to indicate an exchange:
Pagó mucho por su amor.
He paid a great deal for her love.
Por el director, llegó la maestra.
In place of the director, the teacher arrived.
Rule 9:
Use to signify movement with prepositional phrases:
El agua pasó por debajo del camino.
The water passed beneath the road.
Caminó por detrás de la cerca.
He walked behind the fence.
Rule 10:
Use to signify for which entity or place one does something
(i.e., on behalf of):
Hace el trabajo por el Ministerio de Salud.
She does the work on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
(i.e., she is not an employee of the Ministry)
Yo hablo por el señor Morales.
I speak on behalf of Mr.Morales.
Rule 11:
Use to signify non-specific time:
Por el momento, no va a ir a la tienda.
For the moment, he does not go to the store.
Por aquel entonces, el pueblo era pequeño.
At that time, the village was small.
Rule 12:
Use to signify non-specific purpose:
Por algo, esperaron para besarse.
For some reason, they waited to kiss.
Por si acaso, volvió una y otra vez.
Just in case, he returned again and again.
Por esa época, sintió mucho cariño hacia ella.
Around that time, he felt deep affection for her.
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