Do You Know How To Say ‘For’ in Spanish Appropriately?
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The phrase “for” in Spanish is usually para or por, however may also be durante, a favor de, or con destino a. Small phrases like “for” don’t at all times translate to the identical phrase in Spanish. Context is all the pieces.
This information offers you a breakdown of your choices, illustrated by examples to make it simpler para ti (for you). You’ll study when to make use of para vs. por, and when to decide on a unique phrase or phrase as a substitute. There are even instances that the English phrase “for” could be omitted in a Spanish translation.
Para is a standard technique to say ‘for’ in Spanish
While you research Spanish, you’ll finally ask what the distinction between por and para is. Each can imply “for,” however they’ll additionally produce other translations, relying on the best way they’re used. This desk will break down when para means “for” in Spanish and the right way to use it.
| Use | Spanish Instance | English Translation |
| Supposed use of one thing | Esta caja es para reciclaje. | This field is for recyclables. |
| Supposed recipient | Es un regalo para mi hijo. | It’s a present for my son. |
| Acceptable for | No es apto para niños. | It’s not applicable for kids. |
| For somebody’s style or opinion | Está demasiado salada para mí. | It tastes too salty for me. |
| With a view to/for the aim of | Compré chocolate para hacer galletas. | I purchased chocolate for making cookies. |
| In comparison with a norm or common | Es bajo para un jugador de baloncesto. | He’s quick for a basketball participant. |
| Towards a vacation spot | Este tren va para Madrid. | This practice is heading for Madrid. |
Por can even imply ‘for’
Unsurprisingly, por can be quite common as a translation of “for” in Spanish. Selecting between por and para will be as difficult as ser vs. estar at first, however with sufficient publicity to full sentences, you start to note patterns.
Rosetta Stone’s skilled tutors can even assist make clear how these two frequent phrases differ. Right here’s a quick breakdown of when to make use of por as a substitute of para to imply “for” in Spanish.
| Use | Spanish Instance | English Translation |
| On somebody’s behalf/instead of | Trabajo hoy por mi compañera que está enferma. | I’m working as we speak for my colleague who’s sick. |
| In trade for | Pagué cinco dólares por una docena de huevos. | I paid 5 {dollars} for one dozen eggs. |
| On somebody’s behalf | Hablo por mi hermana. | I’m talking for my sister. |
| Throughout an period of time | Viví en Estados Unidos por quince años. | I lived in the US for 15 years. |
| Distances | Corrí por dos millas. | I ran for 2 miles. |
Our full information to para vs. por in Spanish can introduce you to numerous different translations of those Spanish prepositions as properly, so that you’ll know which one that you must say phrases like “that is for you” in Spanish.
Different methods to say ‘for’ in Spanish
Aside from para and por, there are a number of different expressions that would imply “for” relying on the context. Listed below are a number of alternate options you could hear out on this planet.
durante
Durante means “throughout” and might change por when speaking about durations prior to now. You’ll be able to talk about occasions from the previous, reminiscent of how lengthy you lived in a location, how lengthy a process took you, or the size of a journey.
- Trabajé en eso durante tres días enteros. = I labored on that for three total days.
a favor de
Use this phrase within the sense of being “for” vs. “in opposition to” a call. If you happen to’re discussing present occasions, elections, or basic protocols, this phrase will aid you specific your opinion.
- No estoy a favor de cortar todos los árboles. = I’m not for slicing down all of the timber.
con destino a/hacía
As an alternative of para, you’ll usually hear con destino a (with a vacation spot to) or hacía (towards) at a practice or subway station. Pay attention rigorously to the bulletins for adjustments in schedule, gate, or platform.
- El tren con destino a Londres está por llegar. = The practice for London is about to reach.
When to omit ‘for’ in Spanish
Many verbs in English are naturally related to a preposition, reminiscent of “to take heed to” or “to search for,” however after they’re translated to Spanish, the preposition isn’t wanted. For instance:
- escuchar música = to take heed to music
Think about you’ve mastered the right way to order meals, and need to know the right way to ask for the verify in Spanish. The phrase “to ask for the verify” is just pedir la cuenta, which leaves out the phrase “for.” It’s even easier to perform this, as you simply say ¿La cuenta, por favor? (verify, please).
If you happen to’re consuming out, you’ll want phrases associated to dinner in Spanish. Many of those are examples of the place you’d miss the phrase “for” in Spanish:
| Spanish Verb | English Verb | Spanish Instance | English Translation |
| buscar | to search for | Busco un tenedor. | I’m in search of a fork. |
| esperar | to attend for | Esperamos una mesa. | We’re ready for a desk. |
| pedir | to ask for | Voy a pedir más salsa. | I’m going to ask for extra sauce. |
| solicitar | to use for | Puede solicitar empleo aquí. | You’ll be able to apply for a job right here. |
Use these verbs alone in Spanish questions like ¿Qué buscas? (What are you in search of?) or ¿Qué esperas? (What are you ready for?)
Key takeaways about ‘for’ in Spanish
There isn’t one particular technique to say “for” in Spanish. You’ll additionally discover that many frequent questions and solutions are expressed in a wholly totally different manner whenever you change languages.
- Use para if you find yourself referring to a function, vacation spot, or recipient.
- Use por whenever you confer with an trade, or somebody instead of another person.
- Lengths of time and distances will be por or durante.
- Some English verbs use prepositions the place Spanish verbs don’t, reminiscent of buscar, esperar, pedir, and solicitar.
