Por or para? A clear guide with examples
Both can mean “for”. Here is how to tell them apart, plus the contractions (pelo, pela) that make Portuguese sound natural.
Para: destination and purpose
Use para for where you're going, who something is for, purpose and deadlines.
Vou para Lisboa amanhã.
I'm going to Lisbon tomorrow.
Este presente é para ti.
This present is for you.
Estudo português para trabalhar em Portugal.
I study Portuguese to work in Portugal.
Por: through, by, because of, exchange
Use por for the route (through), the cause, the means, the agent of a passive sentence and exchanges.
Passámos por Coimbra.
We passed through Coimbra.
Obrigado pela ajuda.
Thanks for the help.
Paguei dez euros por isto.
I paid ten euros for this.
The contractions
Por joins the article: pelo, pela, pelos, pelas. You'll hear them all the time: pelo menos (at least), pela primeira vez (for the first time).
Try thisGoing somewhere or meant for someone? Para. Passing through, because of, or swapping? Por.
Quick check
“Thanks for the coffee” is…
Practise it properly
Primeiros passos (A1) and Passo a passo (A2) teach only European Portuguese, with exercises and answer keys.
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