Por ti or para ti: pairs and phrases

In many sentences por and para are both good Spanish, and the choice changes what you say. Para looks ahead to whoever or whatever gets the result; por looks back at the reason:

• Lo hice para ti. - I made it for you. (it's yours)
• Lo hice por ti. - I did it for your sake. (you were the reason)

The basic split, with a chart of every use, is on por vs para.

Por ti or para ti

The pair everyone asks about, because love songs use both. Ask one question: does the person get something, or did the person cause something?

12

1. 1un libro
2. 2para ti

Un libro (a book) going to the person who receives it: para ti, for you. Por ti would mean that person was the reason for the gift.

That is why the big romantic line is so often por ti: the singer is not handing over a parcel, they are naming a reason.

Verbs that change meaning

These everyday verbs take either word, and each choice is a different sentence:

Trabajar is the one that embarrasses: if they pay you, it is para.

Ir por also means to go and fetch something, because the thing is the reason for the trip:

• Voy por pan. - I'm going to get bread.

In Spain you will very often hear Voy a por pan., with both words. It is everyday Spain Spanish; Latin America says voy por pan.

Votar is por for the person or party you vote for: Voto por María. - I'm voting for María. In Spain votar a is common too.

Phrases to learn whole

Some por and para phrases have set hard. Learn them as units; most of the por ones are among the commonest phrases in the language.

The para list is shorter:

Por la mañana is the norm in Spain; much of Latin America, Mexico especially, also says en la mañana. Both are correct.