The prepositions por and para tend to be troublesome for non-native Spanish speakers. In some cases this is due to the fact that each of them is sometimes equivalent to the English preposition for. In other cases the difficulty comes from the diverse uses that each one has.

1. To express the idea of "in my opinion."

	Para mí, el carro verde es mejor.	In my opinion, the green car is better.
	Para Luis, el rojo es el máximo.	In Luis's opinion, the red one is the best.

2. To indicate the place toward which someone is going.

	Voy para Oaxaca.	I am going to (toward) Oaxaca.
	Salimos para la tienda a las doce.	We left for the store at twelve.

3. To convey the time limit of a particular action.

	Tendrás que terminar para lunes.	You'll have to finish by Friday.
	Quiero las fotos para las tres.	I want the pictures by three.

4. Para + Infinitive: "In order to" and the expression of purpose.

	Para sacar buenas notas hay que estudiar.	(In order) to get good grades you have to study.
	Estos zapatos son buenos para bailar.	These shoes are good for dancing.

5. To express suitability:

	Los vestidos son para las mujeres.	Dresses are for women.
	Este tornillo es para mi bicicleta.	This screw is for my bike.

1. To express the reason or motive for an action.

	Lo hice por tí.	I became sick to my stomach.
	Cancelaron el partido por la lluvia.	They cancelled the game because of the rain.
	Austin es conocido por su música.	Austin is known for its music.

2. To indicate a place where movement is occurring.

	Los ladrones entraron por la ventana y salieron por la puerta.	The burglars came in through the window and went out through the door.
	Vamos por la calle sexta, no por la quinta.	We're going by way of Sixth Street, not Fifth Street.

3. Periods of time: parts of the day.

	Por la mañana	In the morning
	Por la tarde	In the afternoon
	Por la noche	In the evening/at night
	Por la madrugada	In the early morning

4. Por = per

	Estoy contigo cien por ciento.	I'm with you one hundred percent.
	Íbamos a 80 millas por hora.	We were going 80 miles per hour.
	Gano diez dólares por hora.	I make ten dollars an (per) hour.

5. To express price or an exchange.

	Te doy mi reloj por tu bici.	I'll give you my watch for your bike.
	Lo compré por quince dólares.	I bought it for fifteen dollars.

6. Por + means of transportation.

	Vine por avión.	I came by plane.
	Fuimos a Veracruz por autobús.	We went to Veracruz by bus.

7. Por = by

Esa canción fue escrita por Bob Dylan.

That song was written by Bob Dylan.