This lesson explains how to use the Spanish prepositions "por" and "para". Learn key uses like "por" for cause (por el mal tiempo), medium (por Internet), duration (por dos semanas) and "para" for purpose (para comprar), recipient (para los turistas), and direction (para el aeropuerto).
- "Por" can express cause, motive, reason, and duration of an action.
- "Para" can express the intention, end or purpose of an action; it indicates the recipient and the direction to a destination.
| Preposición (Preposition) | Uso (Use) | Ejemplo (Example) |
|---|---|---|
| Por | Causa (Cause) | Hemos cancelado la excursión por el mal tiempo. (We have cancelled the excursion due to the bad weather.) |
| Medio (Medium) | Hemos reservado el vuelo por Internet. (We have booked the flight online.) | |
| Duración (Duration) | Hemos viajado por dos semanas a España. (We have traveled for two weeks to Spain.) | |
| Para | Finalidad (Purpose) | He llamado a la agencia para comprar un billete. (I have called the agency to buy a ticket.) |
| Destinatario (Recipient) | Este mapa ha sido para los turistas. (This map has been for the tourists.) | |
| Dirección (Address) | El autobús ha salido para el aeropuerto a las 8 AM. (The bus has left for the airport at 8 AM.) |
Exercise 1: Las preposiciones "Por" y "Para"
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
por, para
1.
Este mapa es ... el guía turístico.
(This map is for the tour guide.)
2.
Han cancelado la reserva ... problemas técnicos.
(They have canceled the reservation due to technical problems.)
3.
He comprado un billete ... viajar mañana.
(I have bought a ticket to travel tomorrow.)
4.
Han cancelado la excursión ... la lluvia.
(They have cancelled the excursion due to the rain.)
5.
Vamos a Madrid ... el trabajo.
(We are going to Madrid for work.)
6.
Tengo planes ... viajar a París el próximo mes.
(I have plans to travel to Paris next month.)
7.
El servicio está cancelado ... todos los turistas mañana.
(The service is cancelled for all tourists tomorrow.)
8.
Vamos ... la oficina de turismo a preguntar sobre las excursiones.
(Let's go to the tourist office to ask about the excursions.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct sentence that properly uses the preposition "por" or "para" in each case.
1.
"Para" is not correct here because it does not indicate the means but the purpose or recipient.
The article "el" is not used with "Internet" in this context; the correct form is without the article.
2.
"Para" should not be followed by "en" to express destination.
"Por" indicates route or cause, not destination, so it is incorrect in this sentence.
3.
"Para" should not be followed by "a" when indicating a recipient.
"Por" expresses cause or motive, not recipient, so it is incorrect here.
4.
The expression "a por" is not correct in standard Spanish and does not make sense here.
"Para" does not indicate duration or route; it is incorrect in this context.