Difference between por mí que and para mí que

There are two very similar phrases in Spanish with por and para that have totally different meanings:

Por mí que + El Presente de Subjuntivo

Para mí que + any tense in the indicative

Let's see some examples to see the difference:

Por mí que se casen. Yo tengo otro chico en mente.I don't care if they marry. I've got another guy in mind.

Por mí que se casen. Tengo ganas de ir a una boda.I wouldn't mind if they married. I feel like going to a wedding.

Para mí que se van a casar. Se les ve tan enamorados...I really think that they are going to get married. They seem so in love with each other...

 

Por mí

Notice how the meaning changes completely in each sentence. When we use "por", we express that:

  • it makes no difference to us (I don't mind/care)
OR
  • you would actually be quite happy about it (I wouldn't mind if..., It'd be great if...)
Most of the time it is followed by El Presente de Subjuntivo, and is never followed by the indicative.
As you can see, the above are opposing ideas! You need to use the context and tone of voice to understand which of the two ideas the speaker wants to convey.

 

Para mí

However when we use "para" we simply express having a feeling, an inkling about something happening. In this case it can be followed by any tense in the indicative, but not the subjunctive.

This would be incorrect:

Por mí que se casan. Yo tengo otro chico en mente.

Para mí que se vayan a casar. Se les ve tan enamorados...

Here are some other examples:

Por mí que los niños se queden en la piscina hasta tarde.I wouldn't mind if the children stayed in the pool until late.

Por mí que cierren el gimnasio. Yo nunca lo uso y es muy caro.As far as I'm concerned they can close the gym. I never use it and it is very expensive.

Para mí que esta noche va a haber tormenta.I have a feeling that there'll be a storm tonight.

Para mí que el marido de Adela le ha sido infiel.I really think that Adela's husband was unfaithful to her.

Bear in mind that we will use por mí que for a "future idea" whilst we will use para mí que for a future or past idea.

For example:

Por mí que cierren el cine. Yo nunca voy.I don't really care if they shut down the cinema. I never go anyway. (future idea)

Para mí que cerrarán el cine pronto. Siempre está vacío.I have the feeling that they will shut down the cinema soon. It is always empty. (future idea)

Para mí que han cerrado el cine. Siempre estaba vacío.I have the feeling they've shut down the cinema. It was always empty. (past idea)

 

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Examples and resources

Por mí que cierren el gimnasio. Yo nunca lo uso y es muy caro.As far as I'm concerned they can close the gym. I never use it and it is very expensive.
Por mí que se casen. Tengo ganas de ir a una boda.I wouldn't mind if they married. I feel like going to a wedding.
Por mí que los niños se queden en la piscina hasta tarde.I wouldn't mind if the children stayed in the pool until late.
Por mí que cierren el cine. Yo nunca voy.I don't really care if they shut down the cinema. I never go anyway. (future idea)
Para mí que cerrarán el cine pronto. Siempre está vacío.I have the feeling that they will shut down the cinema soon. It is always empty. (future idea)
Para mí que han cerrado el cine. Siempre estaba vacío.I have the feeling they've shut down the cinema. It was always empty. (past idea)
Para mí que se van a casar. Se les ve tan enamorados...I really think that they are going to get married. They seem so in love with each other...
Para mí que esta noche va a haber tormenta.I have a feeling that there'll be a storm tonight.
Por mí que se casen. Yo tengo otro chico en mente.I don't care if they marry. I've got another guy in mind.
Para mí que el marido de Adela le ha sido infiel.I really think that Adela's husband was unfaithful to her.
I'll be right with you...