pa
“pa” means “for” in Spanish (recipient or purpose).
for, to, in order to
Also: by
📝 In Action
¿Tienes dinero pa' comprar eso?
B1Do you have money to buy that?
Voy pa' la casa de mi abuela.
A2I'm going to my grandma's house.
Esto es pa' ti, lo hice con cariño.
A1This is for you, I made it with love.
Necesito el informe pa' mañana.
B2I need the report by tomorrow.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pa
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'pa' correctly in a casual conversation?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
"Pa" is a phonetic shortening (known as apocope) of the common Spanish preposition *para*. This type of quick shortening is natural in fast, spoken language.
First recorded: While the spoken contraction is ancient, its written representation ('pa) to reflect slang is a modern phenomenon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ever acceptable to write 'pa'?
Only in texts, social media, or other forms of extremely informal communication where you are trying to capture the sound of casual speech. You should never write 'pa' in academic papers, business emails, or formal correspondence.
How do I know when to use 'pa' versus the full word 'para'?
Use 'pa' when speaking quickly and casually with friends or family. Use 'para' when speaking slowly, clearly, or in any formal setting (e.g., talking to a professor, a bank teller, or giving a presentation).