para el
/paɾa el/from spelling rules
The English phrase "due by" is translated into Spanish as para el.
para el is used to specify a deadline, indicating the time by which a task must be completed or an item must be submitted.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use para el when the deadline refers to a specific date or a specific day, which are masculine nouns in Spanish.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾa el/
Did you know?
- The word para is a linguistic blend of the Latin words prō and ad, which combined into the Old Spanish pora before evolving into its current form.
- While English uses 'by' to indicate a deadline, Spanish uses para, which literally translates to 'for', creating a conceptual shift from a limit to a destination.
- If a deadline refers to a feminine noun like semana 'week' instead of a day, para el must change to para la to maintain grammatical agreement.
Examples in context
- El informe es para el viernes.The report is due by Friday.
- Tenemos que entregar el proyecto para mañana.We have to submit the project due by tomorrow.
- El informe es para el lunes.The report is due by Monday.
- La tarea es para el 15 de mayo.The homework is due by May 15th.
- La tarea es para el lunes por la mañana.The homework is due by Monday morning.
- El pago es para el día veinte.The payment is due by the twentieth.
Example conversation
In an office, Mateo asks Lucía about a project deadline.
- Mateo¿Cuándo es la fecha límite del proyecto?When is the project deadline?
- LucíaEs para el próximo martes.It is due by next Tuesday.
- MateoGracias por la información, Lucía.Thanks for the information, Lucía.
- LucíaDe nada, Mateo. ¡Buena suerte!You're welcome, Mateo. Good luck!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, para, CC BY-SA 4.0.
