Por versus para: reasons, routes and goals

In brief

Both por and para can translate as ‘for’, but they answer different questions. Por points to a reason or a route: why did something happen, or where did it pass through? Para points to an intended result or recipient: what is it for, or who is it for?

Form

por + o/a → pelo/pela; para + o/a → para o/para a. Before an infinitive, para expresses a goal: para estudar (‘in order to study’).

Usage

• Use por for a cause or reason, including when thanking someone for something.
• Use por for a route through or past a place.
• Use para for a purpose or intended result, often followed by an infinitive.
• Use para for the intended recipient of something.

Examples

• Obrigado pela ajuda! — Thanks for the help!
• Passamos pelo parque ontem. — We went through the park yesterday.
• Estou estudando para passar na prova. — I’m studying to pass the exam.
• Este presente é para minha mãe. — This gift is for my mother.

Common mistake

❌ Obrigado para a ajuda!

✅ Obrigado pela ajuda!

English ‘for’ does not always become para. When thanking someone for a reason, use por; por + a contracts to pela.

Remember

Por looks back to the reason or traces the route; para looks ahead to the goal or recipient.