por
prepositionCEFR A1High frequency
What does “por” mean in English?
for / through / by
Example sentences
Gracias por la ayuda.
Thanks for the help.
Caminamos por el parque.
We walk through the park.
Lo cambié por dinero.
I exchanged it for money.
How to use it
Por means 'for' (cause, reason, exchange), 'through', 'by', or 'because of'. Backward-looking 'for' — gratitude, motive, means, route.
Common mistake
The por/para split is the classic Spanish trap. Rule of thumb: por = backward-looking (cause, exchange, motion through); para = forward-looking (purpose, recipient, destination).