Question

Hello, how do you know when to use "Por" and when to use "Para" in spanish?

Answer 1

I'm hispanic but even I have a hard time explaing spanish grammar:) Remember that even if you study hard at it, grammar always has it's tricks. The key is to familiarize yourself with the language itself and eventually you'll get the hang of it.

Here's a short, simple explanation from a site:

When understanding which preposition you want to use, think of the meaning you want to convey. If I use a phrase such as "three for a dollar" in English, the "for" has a different meaning than it does in "this book is for you."
****In the first case, "for" indicates an exchange or a rate, while in the second case it indicates an intention or direction. Thus the Spanish translation of the two phrases are different, "tres por un dólar" and "este libro es para ti."

Here's the site for the above: http://spanish.about.com/cs/grammar/a/porpara.htm
It has a lot of examples too.

Answer 2

I also found this website which states the uses/rules of Por & Para.
http://www.studyspanish.com/lessons/porpara.htm

Hope this helps! :D

Answer 3

"Para" examples:

PARA:
1.- Finalidad: Estas gafas son para ver de cerca.
(End, use)

2.- Tiempo futuro próximo: Tengo que terminar este trabajo para el día de mañana.
(Near future time)

3.- Opinión: Para mí, lo mejor sería pintar la casa ahora.
Para Josué, lo mejor sería pintar la casa ahorita.
(Opinion)

4.- Destinatario: ¿Te gusta esta camiseta? La he comprado para Carmen.
(Carmen is a receiver, so it is used to specify a receiver)

5.- Dirección: ¿Vas para Sol? Voy contigo.
(Direction)

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POR:

1.- Causa: No hace más deporte por pereza.
(Cause: Doesn't exercise because of lazyness)

2.- Sustitución: He cambiado mis dólares por pesetas.
(Replacement: He has changed his dolars for pesetas)

3.- Periodicidad: Vaya usted al gimnasio dos veces por semana.
(Time, periodicity, frequency)

4.- Complemento agente en la voz pasiva: Los ladrones han sido detenidos por la policía. (Used like a complementary agent to create a passive subject)

5.- Lugar aproximado. Creo que la casa estaba por aquí.
(Approximate location)

6.- Medio: Envíame el certificado por fax.
(Means)

7.- Precio: He comprado estas zapatillas de deporte por 60 €.
(Price)

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Visit this place for any doubt
http://www.aulahispanica.com/node/85

Answer 4

Por, reason the basis for something. I learn Spanish due to love. Aprendo español por amor a una person.a
Para, an objective, a goal to reach. I learn Spanish to conquer a heart. Aprendo español para conquistar el corazón de alguien