Por or Para?

Knowing when to use para or por

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2022-06-21

Knowing whether to use por or para can be very confusing for English speakers. They can both be used to mean for (as well as other things) so choosing which to use is not straightforward:

Trabajo por mis hijos. 
I work for my children (i.e. for their benefit)

Trabajo para mis hijos. 
I work for my children (i.e. they employ me)

As you can see, just one small word can make a big difference to the meaning of a sentence, therefore it is important that you learn how to use these prepositions so that you can improve your accuracy. 

Lessons with more detail on Por or Para?

Using por (not para) to express the originating cause or reason
Using por (not para) to express "through/along" (a place)
Using por (not para) to express approximate location
Using para (not por) for a destination
Using para (not por) for a deadline/time limit
Using para (not por) to express opinion
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using por (not para) to express "on behalf of"
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using para (not por) to express unequal relations/surprising facts
Por vs para in Spanish: Using para (and not por) for purpose, goal or objective
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using por (and not para) to express a part of the day
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using por (not para) to express medium
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using por (and not para) in exchange for something
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using por (and not para) to communicate price
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using por (and not para) to express distribution or sharing
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using por (and not para) to talk about speed
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using para (and not por) for precise time location
Using ser+preposition para (not estar) to indicate a recipient
Using ser (not estar) with the preposition para, to indicate a purpose
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using para (and not por) to say who you work for
Expressing duration in Spanish with durante/por/no preposition
Difference between por mí que and para mí que
Por vs Para in Spanish: Using por (not para) to say "by" [whom/what]
Using para (not por) to express the recipient of an action
Darle a alguien por [hacer] algo = to take up something/to feel like doing something (perífrasis verbal)
Using ir por to express what point/stage someone has reached
Using dar algo por + past participle/adjective
Using Estar por + infinitive to express feeling tempted/having the intention to do something (perífrasis verbal)
Using en/a/por in Spanish to express a part of the day
Let me take a look at that...