por
“por” means “for” in Spanish. It has 5 different meanings depending on context:
for, because of
Also: due to, on behalf of
📝 In Action
Gracias por el regalo.
A1Thank you for the gift.
No salimos por el frío.
A2We didn't go out because of the cold.
Lo hice por ti.
A2I did it for you (on your behalf/because of you).
through, by
Also: along, around
📝 In Action
Paseamos por la playa.
A1We walk along the beach.
El gato entró por la ventana.
A2The cat came in through the window.
¿Hay una farmacia por aquí?
A2Is there a pharmacy around here?
for
Also: during, in
📝 In Action
Trabajo por la mañana.
A1I work in the morning.
Viví en España por dos años.
A2I lived in Spain for two years.
Vamos de vacaciones por una semana.
A2We're going on vacation for a week.
for
Also: per, in place of
📝 In Action
Pagué cinco euros por el café.
A2I paid five euros for the coffee.
Te cambio mi sándwich por tu ensalada.
B1I'll trade you my sandwich for your salad.
El coche va a cien kilómetros por hora.
B1The car is going 100 kilometers per hour.
by, on
Also: via
📝 In Action
Hablamos por teléfono todas las noches.
A2We talk on the phone every night.
Te enviaré los documentos por correo.
B1I will send you the documents by mail.
La película fue dirigida por un director famoso.
B2The movie was directed by a famous director.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
Translate to Spanish
🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: por
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses 'por' to explain the REASON for an action?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'pro', which meant 'for', 'on behalf of', or 'in front of'. Over time in Spanish, it merged with another Latin word, 'per' (meaning 'through' or 'by means of'), to become the super-versatile 'por' we use today.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the biggest difference between 'por' and 'para'?
The simplest way to think about it is that 'por' often looks backward at the cause or reason for something (I'm tired *because of* the work: 'estoy cansado por el trabajo'). 'Para' often looks forward to the purpose or goal of something (I'm studying *in order to* travel: 'estudio para viajar'). This is a general guide, but it's a great starting point!
Why do people say 'por favor'? What does that literally mean?
Literally, 'por favor' means 'by favor' or 'as a favor'. You are asking someone to do something 'por un favor' (as a favor to you). It's the standard way to say 'please' in Spanish.
Is 'por' ever used at the end of a question, like '¿Para qué?'?
Yes, absolutely! The question '¿Por qué?' means 'Why?'. The 'por' is at the beginning. You can also ask about the price of something and end with 'por': '¿Cuánto pagaste por?' (How much did you pay for it?), though it's more common to name the item: '¿Cuánto pagaste por el libro?'