Por vs Para: the difference, with a decision table
Short answer
Para points forward: purpose, destination, deadline, recipient. Por points back or through: cause, means, exchange, duration, movement across a space. Lo hago para ti is I am doing it for you to have; lo hago por ti is I am doing it because of you.
Level B1 · prepositions
The rule in full
Rough rule of thumb: para looks forward to a goal; por looks back at a cause or through a means.
| para | por | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose / goal | Estudio para aprender. | |
| Cause / reason | Lo hago por ti. | |
| Recipient | Es para mi madre. | |
| Exchange / price | Lo compré por 20 euros. | |
| Deadline | Para el lunes. | |
| Duration | Estuve allí por dos meses. | |
| Destination | Salgo para Madrid. | |
| Movement through | Paseo por el parque. | |
| Means | Te llamo por teléfono. | |
| Opinion | Para mí, es fácil. |
Fixed expressions: por favor, por fin, por eso, por supuesto, por ejemplo — and para siempre.
Check yourself
5 questions, with the reason for each answer.
Este regalo es ___ ti.
Keep this rule where you will actually see it again
Trazo is a notebook for your real lessons: rules become cards, words go into spaced repetition, and your own examples sit next to both. This rule goes in with one click — the rest of the notebook is yours to fill.