Difference between
para and
por ...
para
for (for [someone or something], destination, endpoint, purpose,
for use, for [specific time], for effect);
“for→to”, “in order to”
Ety: para (prep.) for. [Probably from OSp. pora, por + a
(L. per: through, for + L. ad: to, toward), influenced by OSp. par
– by.]
¿Para qué? – “Why?” (for to what [purpose]?)
para que – so that; cierra la puerta para que no entre
el perro – shut the door so that the dog doesn’t get in (entre
here is subjunctive)
para mí – for (to) me; para mí, un Rioja – for me,
a glass of Rioja
Miguel compró el regalo para María – he bought the gift
for to [give to] María (cf. below)
Se usa para + Inf – it is used for; Se usa para saber
adónde van – One uses it (map) for to know / [knowing] where
to go.
¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren para Sevilla? – When
does the next train leave for (to) Seville?
... un billete para Málaga, para mañana – ... a ticket
for Málaga, for to-morrow
Trabajo para una empresa electrónica – I work for an electronics
firm
para las nueve – for (to be done by) nine o’clock
necesito la presentación para el viernes – I need the presentation
by/on Friday.
nos encontramos para el desayuno – we meet (ourselves) for
breakfast
...para el aparitivo – for an aperitif
Pienso que ella se ve muy joven para su edad – I think she
looks very young for her age
por
for (on behalf of), for the sake of, through, by, per, via, because
of, for cause (reason), in place of, duration/in time of, for exchange
of;
“for→of”
Ety: por (prep.) by (agent); for (on behalf of); through
(motion); about to [VL. por from L. prō: for, before.]
¿Por qué? – “Why?” (because of what [reason]?)
por mí – for on behalf of me; as far as I am concerned
por avión – by/per air
Miguel compró el regalo por María – he bought the gift
on María’s behalf (because she could not)
Trabajo por diversión – I work for fun
Hemos quedado por el centro – we have stayed at (of) the
centre
Estudié por dos horas – I studied for two hours
por la mañana – for (in/of); por la mañana bebo café
– of a morning I drink coffee
¿Por dondé vivías tu? – Where did you (used to) live?
Te compro eso por €20 – I sell you that for €20
¿Por cuánto tiempo hablaste? – for how long did you talk?
Also
tres por dos, seis – three twos are six
diez por ciento – ten percent
porque (conjunc) – because, in order that, so that
porqué (nm) – cause, reason; nunca sabremos el porqué
– we’ll never know why/the reason
para :
por perhaps similar relationship as
estar : ser ...?