There are many ways to use para and por. Sometimes, both can be translated as for in English. However, their meanings vary, and they’re not always easy to understand.
Here, we’ll focus on a few common situations where it’s tricky to decide between para and por. I’ll keep it short and simple, as usual. Let’s get started!
1. When talking about places, por generally implies movement throughout an area while para implies movement towards a specific location:
Viajaré por Europa este verano.
I will travel through Europe this summer (inside Europe).
Viajaré para Europa este verano.
I will travel to Europe this summer (Europe will be my destination).
2. When talking about actions that benefit someone else, por implies an action done for the sake of someone else while para implies an action done for the benefit of someone else:
Trabajé duro por el futuro de mis hijos.
I worked hard on behalf of my children’s future (they were the reason, it was because of them).
Trabajé duro para el futuro de mis hijos.
I worked hard for my children’s future (they were the objective, it was for their benefit).
3. When talking about opinions or points of view, por implies an experience while para implies an opinion:
Por lo que he visto, es un buen restaurante.
From what I’ve seen, it’s a good restaurant (this is based only on my own experience).
Para mí, es un buen restaurante.
In my opinion, it’s a good restaurant (this is based on my subjectivity).
4. When talking about time, por implies duration while para implies a deadline or a goal.
Quiero leer el libro por dos horas.
I want to read the book for two hours.
Quiero terminar el libro para las dos de la tarde.
I want to finish the book by two in the afternoon.
This is just the beginning. We’ll practice more in our lesson!
