What is the different between "por" and "para" in Spanish?

Question

They both mean "for" right? Does it matter which I use?

Answer 1

The difference between por and para is one of the hardest concepts for an English speaker to master. I have a university degree with a Spanish minor, and have been speaking Spanish at home with my husband (native speaker) for over 30 years and I still get the wrong one once in a while. Although the explanations here are helpful, this concept is too complex and too broad to be answered effectively on Yahoo answers. I suggest you look in your text book (if you are taking a class the explanation in your text book will be the most helpful, because it will explain the difference in relation to what you are already studying.) If you are not taking a class, I recommend you do a search on Yahoo about the topic, and just start reading websites that explain it.

Definitively, the difference between para and por has NOTHING to do with masculine and feminine, it matters VERY much which one you use, and understanding when "for" indicates a reason and when it indicates a purpose is confusing, so you need to read in more depth. The good news is that with a litle reading, you will gain a sufficient understanding to more forward using both of them.

Good luck

Answer 2

"Por" and "Para" have different meanings depending on the context you use it.

Examples:
1. Yo pase POR la casa de Juan.
I passed BY Juan's house.
In this example "por" means "by"

2. POR ti me casare.
"FOR" you, I will get married
In this example "por" means "by"

The same thing with "PARA"
The word when it is not used as a preposition means STOP.
Used as a preposition means for or to.
Examples
1. PARA salir del trafico uso la autopista.
I used the highway, "TO" get rid of the traffic.
In this case "para" means "to".

2. El regalo es "PARA" Susana.
The present is "FOR" Susane.

Answer 3

for, by, to, through.... it depends very much on the context.

Me pasaré por tu casa.
Si te lo compré es para que te lo pongas.
Estaremos en casa por Navidad.
Subiremos por la ladera norte, para tener mas exito.
etc





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Answer 4

por is used to explain the reason of something and para is used to explain the purpose
eg

lo hice por ti = i did it because of you, youre the reason why i didi it
lo hice para ti = i did it for you, you're the purpose of what i did

para poder hacer.... = in order to be able to...
para que puedas tener... = so you can have....

"by" is always translated as "por"

esto fue escrito por ti = this was written by you



Hope this helps ;)

Answer 5

Yes, it matters.

You are doing it for your kids.
Lo estás haciendo por tu hijos.

That book is for me.
Ese libro es para mi.

Answer 6

por is like i work for money
yo trabajo por dinero

yo trabajo para comer
i work for food

Answer 7

Por=by ___.
para=for __.

Answer 8

one is masculine and other feminine and they both mean "for" in English