por / para
Por vs. Para Basics
Think of por as looking backward (the reason or path) and para as looking forward (the goal or destination).
How It Works
The prepositions por and para are often both translated as 'for' in English, but they represent two different ways of looking at an action.
1. Por (The 'Backward' View)
Use por when you are talking about the origin, the path, or the reason behind something:
- Cause/Reason: Fiz isso por medo (I did it out of fear).
- Route/Movement: Passamos pelo parque (We went through the park).
- Duration: Estudei por duas horas (I studied for two hours).
- Exchange: Obrigado pela ajuda (Thanks for the help).
- Agent of the Passive Voice: O livro foi escrito por Machado de Assis (The book was written by...).
- Frequency: Vou à academia duas vezes por semana (I go twice per week).
- On Behalf Of: Eu falo por você (I speak on your behalf/in your place).
2. Para (The 'Forward' View)
Use para when you are talking about the goal, the end point, or the recipient:
- Destination: Vou para Lisboa (I am going to Lisbon).
- Purpose/Goal: Estudo para aprender (I study in order to learn).
- Recipient: Este presente é para você (This gift is for you).
- Deadline: É para amanhã (It is for tomorrow).
- Personal Opinion: Para mim, o português é lindo (In my opinion/For me...).
Morphology Note:
Por must contract with definite articles: pelo, pela, pelos, pelas. Para remains para in formal writing, but is often shortened to pra or pro in speech.
Examples (5)
- Eu fiz o bolo para você.
I made the cake for you (to give to you).
Word by Word: I made the cake for you.
'Para' indicates the recipient of the cake.
- Eu fiz o bolo por você.
I made the cake for you (on your behalf/because of you).
Word by Word: I made the cake for you.
'Por' indicates the reason or motivation for making the cake.
- Nós caminhamos pelo centro da cidade.
We walked through the city center.
Word by Word: We walked through-the center of-the city.
'Pelo' (por + o) indicates the route or path taken.
- Este trem vai para o Rio de Janeiro.
This train goes to Rio de Janeiro.
Word by Word: This train goes to the Rio of January.
'Para' indicates the final destination.
- Obrigado pela informação.
Thank you for the information.
Word by Word: Thank-you for-the information.
Gratitude is a response to a cause, so we use 'por' (contracted as 'pela').
Common Mistakes
Using 'para' for duration of time.
Eu morei lá para três anos.Eu morei lá por três anos.Duration (how long something lasted) always requires 'por'. 'Para' is used for deadlines (when something is due).
Failing to contract 'por' with articles.
Obrigado por a ajuda.Obrigado pela ajuda.In Portuguese, 'por' must always contract with the definite article (o, a, os, as) to become pelo, pela, pelos, or pelas.
Using 'para' for gratitude.
Obrigado para o presente.Obrigado pelo presente.Since gratitude is a reaction to a reason or cause, 'por' is the correct preposition to use after 'obrigado'.
Related Patterns
- porPor Uses
Detailed breakdown of the specific uses of 'por'.
Level 2 - paraPara Uses
Detailed breakdown of the specific uses of 'para'.
Level 2 - pelo/pela/pelos/pelasContraction Pelo
Explains the mandatory contractions of 'por' with definite articles.
Level 2 - pra/proInformal Contraction Pra/Pro
Explains how 'para' is shortened in everyday spoken Portuguese.
Level 2 - a/de/em/com/para/porBasic Prepositions
Overview of the most common prepositions in Portuguese.
Foundations
Words in This Pattern
Practice por / para in Bubblegum
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