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Para - For

There are two words that mean 'for' in Spanish, but they each have different uses. Here are the uses of 'para':

Showing purpose or use

Showing purpose or use

  • When used for this reason 'para' can also mean in order to.
    • E.g. Trabajo para ganar dinero.
      • I work in order to earn money.
    • E.g. Este sistema es utilizado para organizar la información.
      • This system is used for organising the information.
Showing who something is for

Showing who something is for

  • E.g. Compré este bocadillo para ti.
    • I bought this sandwich for you.
  • E.g. Era un regalo para mí mismo.
    • It was a gift for myself.
Movement or direction

Movement or direction

  • E.g. El avión va para Madrid.
    • The plane is going to Madrid.
  • E.g. ¿Para dónde vas?
    • Where are you going?
For infinitives and opinion

For infinitives and opinion

  • E.g. Para concluir.
    • In order to conclude.
  • E.g. Para ellos.
    • For them (in their opinion).

For - 'Por'

'Por' is the other way to say 'for' in Spanish. It has different uses to 'para'.

Motivation

Motivation

  • 'Por' is used to show the motivation or reasons for doing something.
    • Jesus murió por nosotros.
      • Jesus died for us.
    • Me gusta el carne por su sabor.
      • I like meat for its taste.
For travel and how you contact someone

For travel and how you contact someone

  • When used for this purpose, 'por' can also means through or by.
    • Seguimos por el camino actual.
      • We continued on the current path.
    • Contacte con nosotros por téléfono o correo electrónico.
      • Contact us by phone or email.
Exchanging something for something else

Exchanging something for something else

  • Te doy treinta libras por la falda
    • I will give you 30 pounds for the skirt.
  • ¿Quieres cambiar tu bolígrafo por mi chicle?.
    • Do you want to trade your pen for my chewing gum?
To say how long something happens for

To say how long something happens for

  • Tiene que correr por dos horas.
    • He has to run for two hours.
  • Durmieron por diez horas.
    • They slept for ten hours.
For speed

For speed

  • When you are talking about kilometres per hour you need to use 'por'.
    • 60 kilómetros por hora.
      • 60 kilometres per hour.
Jump to other topics
1

The Basics

2

Current & Future Study & Employment

2.1

School & Subjects

2.2

School & Subjects - Translations (Foundation)

2.3

School & Subjects - Translations (Higher)

2.4

Education Post - 16

2.5

Education Post - 16 - Translations (Foundation)

2.6

Education Post - 16 - Translations (Higher)

3

Identity & Culture

3.1

Me, My Family & Friends

3.2

Me, Family & Friends - Translations (Foundation)

3.3

Me, Family & Friends - Translations (Higher)

3.4

Technology in Everyday Life

3.5

Tech in Everyday Life - Translations (Foundation)

3.6

Tech in Everyday Life - Translations (Higher)

3.7

Free Time Activities

3.8

Free Time Activities - Translations (Foundation)

3.9

Free Time Activities - Translations (Higher)

3.10

Customs & Festivals in Spanish Speaking Countries

3.11

Customs & Festivals - Translations (Foundation)

3.12

Customs & Festivals - Translations (Higher)

4

Areas of Interest

4.1

Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region

4.2

Home & Region - Translations (Foundation)

4.3

Home & Region - Translations (Higher)

4.4

Social Issues

4.5

Social Issues - Translations (Foundation)

4.6

Social Issues - Translations (Higher)

4.7

Global Issues

4.8

Global Issues - Translations

4.9

Travel & Tourism

4.10

Travel & Tourism - Translations

5

Listening Practice

5.1

Time Expressions - Listening

5.2

Me, My Family & Friends - Listening

5.3

Technology in Everyday Life - Listening

5.4

Free-Time - Listening

5.5

Customs & Festivals - Listening

5.6

Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region - Listening

5.7

Social Issues - Listening

5.8

Travel & Tourism - Listening

5.9

Education - Listening

5.10

Food & Drink - Listening

5.11

In the Home - Listening

5.12

Colours - Listening

5.13

Clothes & Accesories - Listening

5.14

Measurements - Listening

5.15

Materials - Listening

6

Common Tenses

7

Important Verbs

8

Advanced Tenses

9

Extra Grammar

9.1

Articles

9.2

Negatives

9.3

Nouns

9.4

Asking Questions

9.5

Adjectives

9.6

Adverbs

9.7

Conjunctions

9.8

Pronouns

9.9

By, With, From, Of

9.10

Verbs

9.11

Comparisons

Practice questions on 'Para' or 'Por'

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