Para vs. Por
Vocabulary
1) enviar - to send
2) luchar - to fight / to struggle
3) llamar - to call
4) preguntar - to ask / to question
5) pedir - to ask for
Both para and por are translated as "for." However, each has a different meaning in Spanish: as shown below.
Para:
1) Para ser .
2) Also translates to "in order to," "to," and "by."
3) For - sense of purpose, use, destination, future time, considering that.
Examples of Para:
1) Trabajo para chofer. (I am working to be a driver). "Para ser without using ser"
2) Para manejar, necesitas practicar. (In order to drive, you need to practice). "In order to"
3) Quiero la tarea para el lunes. (I want the homework by Monday). "Future time"
Por:
1) For - sense of exchange , certain time period, and for the sake of.
2) After verbs: ir, enviar, luchar, llamar, preguntar
3) Translates to "during" and "in"
4) Shows rate or the word "per"
5) Other words include "by," "through," and "along"
Examples of Por
1) Corré por once minutos. (I ran for 11 minutes) "Time period"
2) Llamé por Carlos. (I called for Carlos). "After llamar"
3) Por el día, estoy en la escuela. (During the day, I am in school) "During"
4) La mujer camina dos milas por hora. (The woman walks two miles per hour). "Per"
5) Vamos a caminar por el río. (We are going to walk along the river) "Along"
Note: Do not use para or por for the verbs buscar, esperar, and pedir: the word "for" is included in the word already.
Questions
1) El regalo es para / por mí (The present is for me).
2) Es para / por mañana. (It is for tomarrow)