Spanish tests › Por vs para
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Por vs para: eight sentences that decide it
Both translate as "for", which is why translating is the wrong way to choose between them. Try these eight and read why each one goes the way it does.
The quiz
Eight questions, an explanation for every one, no signup.
The answers, and why
No scrolling past a paywall and no email: here is every question with its answer and the reason behind it.
Gracias ___ tu ayuda.
Answer: por (of por / para)
You are thanking them because of something already done. Por looks backwards at a cause.
Este regalo es ___ ti.
Answer: para (of por / para)
The gift is heading towards you: a recipient. Para looks forwards at a destination.
Estudio ___ ser médico.
Answer: para (of por / para)
Purpose — the goal you are aiming at. Para plus an infinitive is "in order to".
Caminamos ___ el parque.
Answer: por (of por / para)
Movement THROUGH or around a space takes por. "Caminamos para el parque" would mean heading towards it.
Pagué veinte euros ___ el libro.
Answer: por (of por / para)
An exchange: money swapped for a thing. Por marks what you gave up.
El informe es ___ el lunes.
Answer: para (of por / para)
A deadline is a point you are working towards, so para. Por would suggest "around Monday".
Trabajé ___ mi jefe porque estaba enfermo.
Answer: por (of por / para)
The trap. Here you covered his shift — you worked INSTEAD OF him, which is por. "Trabajo para mi jefe" means he employs you.
Salimos ___ Madrid mañana.
Answer: para (of por / para)
Departure towards a destination takes para.
Por vs para: the rule that actually holds
Stop translating and start asking which direction the sentence points. Por looks BACKWARDS and SIDEWAYS: the cause of something, the exchange you made, the route you travelled through, the person whose place you took. Para looks FORWARDS: the destination, the recipient, the purpose, the deadline. "Trabajo para mi jefe" means he employs me; "trabajé por mi jefe" means I covered his shift. Nothing in the English "for" tells you which of those you meant, which is exactly why the rule has to be about direction rather than translation.
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