DELE B1 Por vs Para: Practice Test & Review
Por and para both mean “for” in English, but they are not interchangeable. This is one of the most tested grammar points on the DELE B1 exam, and it appears in reading passages, cloze exercises, and listening sections.
This page gives you a five-part practice quiz: an evaluation set to see where you stand, three practice sets to drill the contrast, and a challenge set to confirm mastery. If you get stuck, scroll down for the full explanation.
Ready? Start with the evaluation set below.
The Rule
Por and para both mean “for” in English, but they are not interchangeable. The choice depends on whether the meaning points to a goal or a reason.
Para points forward — to a destination, a purpose, a recipient, a deadline.
Por points backward or through — to a cause, an exchange, a duration, a route.
If you can ask “what is the goal?” use para. If you can ask “why?” or “in exchange for what?” use por.
Para: Destination, Purpose, Recipient, Deadline
| Function | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Destination | Salgo para Madrid. | I leave for Madrid. |
| Purpose | Estudio para aprobar. | I study in order to pass. |
| Recipient | Este regalo es para ti. | This gift is for you. |
| Deadline | Es para mañana. | It’s for tomorrow. |
| Employment | Trabajo para una empresa. | I work for a company. |
| Opinion | Para mí, es difícil. | For me, it’s difficult. |
| Contrast | Para ser tan joven, habla bien. | For being so young, he speaks well. |
Por: Cause, Exchange, Duration, Route
| Function | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Cause / reason | Gracias por tu ayuda. | Thanks for your help. |
| Exchange | Pagué 20 euros por el libro. | I paid 20 euros for the book. |
| Duration | Estudié por dos horas. | I studied for two hours. |
| Route / through | Caminé por el parque. | I walked through the park. |
| Time of day | Por la mañana, corro. | In the morning, I run. |
| Agent (passive) | Escrito por Cervantes. | Written by Cervantes. |
| In favor of | Luchamos por la libertad. | We fight for freedom. |
Fixed Expressions with Por
These phrases are always por, even when the logic might suggest para. They must be memorized.
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| por fin | finally |
| por supuesto | of course |
| por lo general | generally |
| por lo visto | apparently |
| por desgracia | unfortunately |
| por ejemplo | for example |
| por eso | that’s why |
Common Mistakes
1. Recipient with por.
✗ Este regalo es por ti.
✓ Este regalo es para ti.
The gift is destined for you. That’s a recipient. Use para.
2. Cause with para.
✗ Gracias para tu ayuda.
✓ Gracias por tu ayuda.
Thanks are given because of your help. That’s a cause. Use por.
3. Duration with para.
✗ Estudié para dos horas.
✓ Estudié por dos horas.
Duration is a span of time, not a goal. Use por.
4. Deadline with por.
✗ El proyecto es por el viernes.
✓ El proyecto es para el viernes.
A deadline is a destination in time. Use para.
Quick Decision Chart
| Ask yourself | Answer | Preposition |
|---|---|---|
| What is the goal? | Destination, purpose, recipient, deadline | Para |
| What is the reason? | Cause, exchange, duration, route | Por |
| Is it a fixed expression? | Por fin, por supuesto, por lo general | Por |
| Is it “in order to”? | Para + infinitive | Para |
| Is it “because of”? | Por + infinitive | Por |
Two Sentences That Show the Difference
Compré este libro por 20 euros para mi hermana.
I bought this book for 20 euros for my sister.
- Por 20 euros = exchange (what I paid)
- Para mi hermana = recipient (who receives it)
Trabajo para una empresa que lucha por los derechos humanos.
I work for a company that fights for human rights.
- Para una empresa = employer (destination)
- Por los derechos = in favor of a cause (reason)
