What is the difference between por and para?
Understandably, it can be difficult to know when to use por or para, as they are both usually translated as 'for', but this general rule can be very helpful:
Por = motive or cause of an action, a reason
Para = result of an action, an aim or destination
Therefore, it helps to think of por as a prepostion which looks back, and para as a preposition which looks forward
Here are a couple of examples in context:
No pudo ir de compras por estar enfermo (reason)
El colegio no está abierto hoy por la nieve (cause)
El regalo es para mi amigo (destination)
Trabajo en una oficina para ganar dinero (aim/purpose)
AT
Related Spanish A Level answers
All answers ▸How do I know when to use 'ser' and when to use 'estar' if they both mean 'to be' in English?
What is the difference between "ser feliz" and "estar feliz"?
Se dice que Internet ha mejorado nuestro estilo de vida. ¿Estás de acuerdo con esta opinión?
Lee este texto de la novela de José Martí, Amistad funesta. Complétalo, escogiendo palabras de la lista A – P en la página siguiente. Escribe la letra de la palabra en la casilla.