Do you know the difference between por and para?
Can you explain the difference between these two sentences? If you can, you’re probably ready for our ultimate “Por vs Para Quiz”!
Julio compró el regalo para su madre.
Julio compró el regalo por su madre.
The correct use of por and para isn’t that easy. Sometimes the same sentence can have a different meaning only by changing “por” against “para.”
In the first sentence, it means that Juan bought a gift FOR his mum (para).
The use of “por” in the second sentence implies that Julio purchased the gift for his mum because she didn’t have time to buy it or recommended it to him to buy it.
You see: The use of the Spanish prepositions “por” and “para” is not that easy. But don’t worry, after reading this post and successfully finishing our “Por vs Para Quiz,” you will be an expert. But you should at least have an intermediate Spanish level to try the quiz.
If you want to skip the theory part, scroll down to start the “Por vs Para Quiz”.
Por vs Para: Learning Video
If you don’t feel ready to do our “Por vs Para Quiz” yet, you should look at this Mónica’s Youtube-Video. Mónica is our virtual Spanish teacher and we think she did a great job explaning “Por vs Para” in her video.
Por vs. Para: The general difference
Before trying our “Por Vs. Para-Quiz,” we want to give you an idea about how to use it correctly.
The two Spanish prepositions, por and para, are usually used for the English word “for.”
“To provide you with a general idea about how to use “por” and “para” correctly, you should look at the following two graphics:
It’s a good summary of the general idea when to us “por” and “para.” Remember that you use “por” to explain cause or reason why an action is being performed, while “para” usually refers to the purpose, result or aim of something.
Let us give you a quick overview:
Por vs para chart: How to use it?
Use “para” if you:
talk about the purpose or aim of an action or a thing
¿Para que has venido a El Salvador?
El vaso es para cerveza.
referring to a specific time
Necesito el carro reparado para mañana.
indicate a destination
Chepe salió para San Salvador.
express a contrast from what is expected
Para un niño de 5 años toca muy bien el piano.
mean “in order to” or “for the purpose of”
Para hacer pupusas, se necesita la masa, frijoles y queso.
Use “por” if you:
talk about reasons or motivations for doing something
Trabajo por ella, porque necesita el dinero.
Trabaja en este proyecto por su amor para los niños.
denoting a time or duration when an action occurs
Viajamos por dos semanas en El salvador.
talk about the way you travel or communicate
Te mando los papeles por correo.
¿Quieres viajar por bus?
express gratitude or apology
Gracias por tu amistad.
Perdón por ser tan celoso.
The ultimate “Por vs Para Quiz”
Are you ready to take the ultimate “Por vs Para Quiz-Challenge”? Then please scroll down start! ¡Vamos!
Decide when to use por and para!
If you found this helpful, you might also be interested in this:
Ser vs Estar: A Step by Step Guide
3 ESSENTIAL TIPS TO MASTER THE SPANISH PAST TENSE
EL QUIZ DE EL SALVADOR: ¿QUÉ TAN SALVADOREÑO/A ERES REALMENTE?
LEARN SPANISH WHILE YOU SLEEP? THE CRUEL TRUTH ABOUT MARKETING AND LANGUAGE LEARNING
