When to use por and para
The main uses of por and para:
Por
- to indicate a reason:
Comimos pastel por mi cumpleaños.
We ate cake for my birthday.
- To indicate a vague or general area:
Estas navidades estaré por Madrid.
I’ll be around Madrid for Christmas.
- To indicate an action done on behalf of someone:
Firma por mí.
Sign this in my name (instead of me).
- To reference a time of day:
La fiesta es el sábado por la noche.
The party's on Saturday at night.
Para
- To express a purpose or goal:
Dormí pronto para madrugar hoy.
I went to bed early to wake up early today.
- To say where someone or something is headed:
Estas navidades iré para Madrid.
This Christmas, I’m heading to Madrid.
- To express an opinion:
Para mí, Ramón cocina mejor.
In my opinion, Ramón cooks better.
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