Por: for, by, through, because of
Pronunciation: pohr (stress the capital letters)
Por means “for, by, through, because of” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: for, by, through, because of
- How to say it: pohr
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “por” means and how to use it
Por is a preposition with many uses: reason (por eso), duration (por una hora), movement through a place (por la calle), exchange (pagué diez por el libro), and the agent in passive sentences.
A closer look at “por”
Common uses of por
Por expresses cause (gracias por tu ayuda), movement through a place (paso por el parque), a period of time (estudio por una hora), exchange (pagué diez dólares por el libro), the agent in passive sentences (escrito por Borges), and “per” (dos veces por semana).
Por or para?
A quick test: if the reason is behind the action, use por; if the goal is ahead, use para. “Lo hago por ti” (because of you, for your sake). “Lo hago para ti” (to give it to you). See the full por vs. para lesson for more examples.
Examples with audio
- Gracias por venir.Thank you for coming.
- Camino por el parque.I walk through the park.
- Trabajo por la mañana.I work in the morning.
Usage tip
Think of por as the cause or the route: why something happens, or where you pass through. Para, on the other hand, looks forward to a goal or recipient. Both can be translated as “for.”
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “for, by, through, because of” in Spanish?
“for, by, through, because of” in Spanish is “por.” It is pronounced pohr, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “por”?
Say pohr. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
Practice “por” for free
Reading helps, but practice makes it stick. Try short exercises with instant feedback.
Practice Spanish for free with Leo Read the lesson: Por vs. Para in Spanish
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More: pronouns, prepositions and connectors · Spanish glossary · Lessons