Idiomatic uses of Por and Para
Spanish Prepositions Por vs Para
Below are some idiomatic uses of por and para. Por may translate "on behalf of," "for the sake of," "in favour of," "during," "through":
Habló por el proyecto de ley:
He spoke in favor of the bill.
He spoke in favor of the bill.
Se presentó por la casa:
He appeared on behalf of the firm.
He appeared on behalf of the firm.
Por la paz y buena armonía concedemos lo que V. pide:
For the sake of peace we allow what you ask.
For the sake of peace we allow what you ask.
Les sirvió por cinco años:
He served them during five years.
He served them during five years.
Trabaja por la mañana:
He works during (in) the morning.
He works during (in) the morning.
Vino por París:
He came through Paris.
He came through Paris.
Cotizar por un artículo:
To quote for an article.
To quote for an article.
Yo por mí (or por mi parte) prefiero comprar al contado:
I, for one, prefer to buy for cash.
I, for one, prefer to buy for cash.
Por[3] rico que sea, no tendrá suficientes recursos:
No matter how rich he is, he will not have sufficient means.
No matter how rich he is, he will not have sufficient means.
Es demasiado avaro por ser tan rico:
for such a rich man, he is too miserly.
for such a rich man, he is too miserly.
Caro por caro prefiero géneros ingleses:
If I have to pay a dear price, I prefer English goods.
If I have to pay a dear price, I prefer English goods.
Por sí ó por no:
In any case, should it be so or not.
In any case, should it be so or not.
Ir (venir) por:
To go (come) for.
To go (come) for.
Enviar por el médico:
To send for the doctor.
To send for the doctor.
Por holgazán perdió el empleo:
He lost his employment through laziness.
He lost his employment through laziness.
Por bién ó por mal:
Willy-nilly.
Willy-nilly.
Vendré por la Navidad:
I shall come by Christmas.
I shall come by Christmas.
Por si acaso:
In case that.
In case that.
Footnote 3: Por has always this meaning before an adjective or adverb.]
No sirve para más:
He is good for nothing else.
He is good for nothing else.
Venir para la Pentecostés:
To come for Whitsuntide.
To come for Whitsuntide.
Esto no es para menos:
The thing (or occasion) is worth it.
The thing (or occasion) is worth it.
Para español (or por ser español) es muy alto:
He is very tall for a Spaniard.
He is very tall for a Spaniard.
Tener grande consideración para este hombre:
To have great respect for this man.
To have great respect for this man.
Dar pedidos para ferretería, ollería, y maquinaría:
To give orders for ironware, hollow-ware and machinery.
To give orders for ironware, hollow-ware and machinery.
Es demasiado avaro para ser tan rico:
He is too miserly to be so rich.
He is too miserly to be so rich.
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