Lecture on the Usage of "Por" vs. "Para"

Introduction

• Common question among students: when to use por vs. para
• Both words translate to “for” in English but have different uses in Spanish

Uses of Para

1. Destination
   • Para used for destinations
   • Example: Voy para la discoteca (I am going to the nightclub)
2. Goals
   • Used when doing something to achieve something else
   • Example: Estoy entrenando para bajar de peso (I am training to lose weight)
   • Structure: para + infinitive
3. Recipients
   • Used when giving something to someone
   • Example: La comida es para tu madre (The food is for your mom)
   • Example: Compré la manzana para ti (I bought the apple for you)
4. Deadlines
   • Used for deadlines or due dates
   • Example: Tienes que terminar el proyecto para el viernes (You have to finish the project by Friday)
   • Example: Necesito el dinero para el lunes (I need the money by Monday)

Uses of Por

1. Duration
   • Refers to the duration of time
   • Example: Trabajo por nueve horas al día (I work for 9 hours a day)
2. Motivation
   • Indicates doing something for someone’s sake
   • Example: Lo voy a hacer por ti (I will do it for you)
   • Example: Mis soldados se mueren por mí (My soldiers die for me)
3. Barter/Exchange
   • Used in exchanges and transactions
   • Example: Te doy tres dólares por dos botellas de agua (I give you three dollars for two bottles of water)
   • Example: Te cambio mi celular por tu computadora (I exchange my phone for your computer)
4. Mode of Travel/Communication
   • Used to indicate means or mode of travel/communication
   • Travel Example: Viajé por tren (I traveled by train)
   • Communication Example: Me habló por celular (He talked to me by cellphone)
   • Example: Pasamos por el río (We passed by the river)
   • Combining destination and mode: Voy para la tienda por el carro (I am going to the store by car)

Common Phrases

• With Para:
  • Para ti (For you)
  • ¿Para qué? (For what? / So that)
  • Para siempre (Forever)
• With Por:
  • Por favor (Please)
  • Por ejemplo (For example)
  • Por supuesto (Of course)
  • Por ciento (Percent)
  • ¿Por qué? (Why) / Porque (Because)
  • Por fin (Finally)

Conclusion

• Practice helps in mastering por and para
• Over time, usage becomes second nature
• Future lessons will delve deeper into rules and specifics

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