por
Por Uses
The preposition por generally looks 'backward' at the cause, 'sideways' at the route, or 'along' a duration. It is used for reasons, prices, duration, frequency, substitution, and approximate locations or times.
How It Works
The preposition por is one of the most versatile words in Portuguese. Its usage can be broken down into these main categories:
1. Cause or Reason: Explains why something happened.
Example: Fiz isso por amor. (I did it for/out of love.)
2. Exchange and Price: Used when trading one thing for another.
Example: Vendi o carro por dez mil reais. (I sold the car for ten thousand reais.)
3. Substitution or Representation: Doing something on behalf of someone else.
Example: Eu falo por ele. (I speak for/on behalf of him.)
4. Approximate Time and Location: Used for 'around' or 'near'.
Example: Ele mora por aqui. (He lives around here.) or Chego pelas duas. (I'll arrive around two.)
5. Duration of Time: Expresses how long an action lasts.
Example: Eles viajaram por um mês. (They traveled for a month.)
Note: In European Portuguese, it is common to use durante or omit the preposition entirely for duration.
6. Frequency and Rates: Used for recurring events and math (multiplication/percentages).
Example: Duas vezes por dia (Twice a day) or Dez por cento (Ten percent).
7. Passive Voice Agent: Identifies who performed the action in a passive sentence.
Example: A casa foi pintada pelo meu pai. (The house was painted by my father.)
8. Means and Motion: How an action is performed or movement through a place.
Example: Caminhamos pela praia. (We walked along the beach.)
Important Note on Contractions:
When por is followed by a definite article, it must contract: pelo, pela, pelos, pelas.
Examples (6)
- Eu comprei esta camisa por vinte euros.
I bought this shirt for twenty euros.
Word by Word: I bought this shirt for twenty euros.
Here, por indicates an exchange of money for an object.
- Eu assino o contrato por você.
I sign the contract on your behalf.
Word by Word: I sign the contract for you.
In this case, por indicates substitution or acting on behalf of someone else.
- Nós passamos pelo centro da cidade.
We passed through the city center.
Word by Word: We passed through-the center of-the city.
Uses the contraction pelo (por + o) to show movement through a location.
- Eu estudei por duas horas ontem.
I studied for two hours yesterday.
Word by Word: I studied for two hours yesterday.
In this context, por expresses the duration of an action. Note: In European Portuguese, 'durante' is often preferred for duration.
- O livro foi escrito por Machado de Assis.
The book was written by Machado de Assis.
Word by Word: The book was written by Machado de Assis.
In the passive voice, por introduces the person performing the action.
- Eu chego em casa pelas oito horas.
I arrive home around eight o'clock.
Word by Word: I arrive in house by-the eight hours.
The contraction pelas is used here to indicate an approximate time.
Common Mistakes
Using 'por o' or 'por a' instead of the mandatory contractions.
Eu caminhei por o parque.Eu caminhei pelo parque.In Portuguese, 'por' must always contract with definite articles. 'Pelo' is the only correct form for 'por + o'.
Using 'para' to express gratitude.
Obrigado para o presente.Obrigado pelo presente.Since you are thanking someone 'because of' the gift (the cause), you must use 'por' (contracted to 'pelo').
Confusing 'por' with 'para' for destinations.
Eu vou por Lisboa amanhã.Eu vou para Lisboa amanhã.If Lisbon is your final destination, use 'para'. If you are just passing through Lisbon on your way somewhere else, use 'por'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the specific uses of 'por' (cause, exchange, means, and motion), you first need to be familiar with 'por' as a basic preposition and how it contracts with definite articles to form 'pelo' and 'pela'.
Related Patterns
- paraPara Uses
'Para' is the primary counterpart to 'por', focusing on goals and destinations rather than causes and routes.
Level 2 - por / paraPor vs. Para Basics
This pattern specifically compares the two prepositions to help you choose the right one in tricky situations.
Level 2 - Passive + por + AgentPassive Agent with Por
In passive voice sentences, 'por' is used to introduce the person or thing performing the action (the agent).
Level 4 - por que/por quê/porque/porquêFour Ways to Write Por Que
The word for 'why' is built using 'por' because it asks for the cause or reason.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice por in Bubblegum
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