para
“para” means “in order to” in Spanish. It has 6 different meanings depending on context:
in order to
Also: to, for the purpose of
📝 In Action
Estudio mucho para aprender español.
A1I study a lot in order to learn Spanish.
Necesito gafas para ver mejor.
A1I need glasses to see better.
Ahorramos dinero para comprar una casa.
A2We save money in order to buy a house.
for
Also: to
📝 In Action
Este regalo es para ti.
A1This gift is for you.
Cocino la cena para mi familia.
A1I'm cooking dinner for my family.
Compré un libro para mi amigo.
A2I bought a book for my friend.
for
Also: to, towards
📝 In Action
Salgo para la oficina en cinco minutos.
A2I'm leaving for the office in five minutes.
Este tren va para Madrid.
A2This train is going to Madrid.
Vamos para la playa este fin de semana.
B1We are going to the beach this weekend.
by
Also: for, due on
📝 In Action
La tarea es para el lunes.
A2The homework is for (due on) Monday.
Necesito el informe para el viernes a las 5.
B1I need the report by Friday at 5.
Tengo que terminar esto para mañana.
A2I have to finish this by tomorrow.
for
Also: in my opinion
📝 In Action
Para mí, el español es un idioma hermoso.
B1For me, Spanish is a beautiful language.
¿Para ti, cuál es la mejor solución?
B1For you, what is the best solution?
Para nosotros, la familia es lo más importante.
B2For us, family is the most important thing.
for
Also: considering
📝 In Action
Para ser un niño, lee muy bien.
B2For a child, he reads very well.
Hace bastante calor para ser invierno.
B2It's quite warm for it to be winter.
Para ser su primera vez, lo hiciste genial.
B1For it to be your first time, you did great.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: para
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses 'para' to talk about a deadline?
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📚 Etymology▼
Comes from Old Spanish, as a combination of 'por' and 'a'. This itself traces back to Latin 'pro' (for) and 'ad' (to, toward). You can still see both ideas of 'for' and 'toward' in its modern meanings.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the simplest way to remember the difference between 'por' and 'para'?
Think of 'para' as a forward-pointing arrow: for a future GOAL, a DESTINATION, a DEADLINE, or a RECIPIENT. Think of 'por' as looking around or backward: the REASON for something, an EXCHANGE, a DURATION of time, or movement THROUGH a place. 'Para' is about the endpoint; 'por' is about the journey or cause.
Can I always use 'a' instead of 'para' for destinations?
Often, yes! 'Voy a la tienda' and 'Voy para la tienda' both mean 'I'm going to the store.' However, 'para' can add a slightly stronger sense of final destination, while 'a' is more neutral. For some transportation, like a train, 'para' is very common: 'El tren para Sevilla' (The train to Seville).
I heard 'para' is also a verb. Is that true?
Yes, but it's a completely different word! 'Para' is a form of the verb 'parar', which means 'to stop'. For example, 'Él para en la señal' means 'He stops at the sign'. The context and grammar make it clear which 'para' you're hearing.