para
/paɾa/
In Spanish, 'for' is translated as para.
The word para is used to indicate the intended recipient of an object or action, or to denote a specific purpose or destination.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish para from por. Use para when referring to purpose or destination, but use por when you mean 'for' in the sense of duration, cause or exchange.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use para followed by a verb to express a purpose, that verb must be in the infinitive form. Additionally, the informal contraction pa' is frequently combined with personal pronouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾa/
Did you know?
- In certain regions, para is used as a slang shorthand for paramilitar, referring to members of paramilitary groups.
- Using para can shift a statement from an objective fact to a personal opinion, as in está lejos para mí meaning 'I think it is far'.
- The preposition para is spelled exactly the same as the third person singular form of the verb parar, which means 'to stop'.
Examples in context
- Lo haré para ti.I'll do it for you.This sentence shows how to use para to indicate the recipient of an action.Tatoeba #8333994 by arh, translation #2548792 by CK
- ¡Esto es para ti!This is for you!This sentence shows how to use para to indicate the recipient of an object.Tatoeba #1388672 by Shishir, translation #1229916 by sundown
- Es fácil para ti.It's easy for you.This sentence shows how to use para to express how something is perceived by a recipient.Tatoeba #1537728 by marcelostockle, translation #1537608 by CM
- Este regalo es para ti.This gift is for you.
- Este regalo es para mi mamá.This gift is for my mom.
- Compré este libro para ti.I bought this book for you.
- Tráeme algo de comer, pa' ti y pa' mí.Bring me something to eat, for you and for me.
- Este libro es para María.This book is for Maria.
- Compré entradas pa' nosotros.I bought tickets for us.
- 3854 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are discussing a gift in a kitchen.
- DanielEste regalo es para Lucía.This gift is for Lucía.
- Lucía¿Es para mí?Is it for me?
- DanielSí, es para ti, Lucía.Yes, it is for you, Lucía.
- Lucía¡Muchas gracias, Daniel!Thank you very much, Daniel!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry para, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries para, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
