Por - In Exchange For

The core idea is simple: Reciprocity. Something goes out, and something comes in. This is not about a destination. It is not about a deadline. It is about the transaction itself. Imagine you are at a market. You swap five euros for a bag of oranges. That "for" is exactly where por lives. It also works for abstract things. Think about gratitude. You say thanks "in exchange for" a kind act. Even substitution fits here. If you work "for" a sick friend, you're swapping. You are taking their place. It is the ultimate "this-for-that" word. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes. So don't worry if it feels tricky at first.

1. 1Using por requires some quick mental math. It likes to merge with articles.
2. 2Combine por with the definite article o.
3. 3This creates the word pelo.
4. 4For feminine nouns, use por plus a.
5. 5This results in the word pela.
6. 6Don't forget the plural versions.
7. 7You get pelos and pelas for groups.
8. 8por + o = pelo (Masculine Singular)
9. 9por + a = pela (Feminine Singular)
10. 10por + os = pelos (Masculine Plural)
11. 11por + as = pelas (Feminine Plural)
12. 12These contractions are mandatory. Using "por o" sounds very robotic. It’s like wearing socks with sandals. Technically possible, but please don't do it. Use pelo and you will sound like a pro.

Let’s look at real-world scenarios. First, talk about money and prices. You bought a shirt for thirty euros. Use por. "Comprei a camisa por trinta euros." Money is the most common exchange. Second, use it for bartering and trades. I’ll trade my apple for your pear. "Troco minha maçã por sua pera." Think of this in a business meeting. You might offer a discount in exchange for a longer contract. Third, express gratitude or apologies. This is an exchange of emotions. Thank you "for" the help. "Obrigado pela ajuda." Sorry "for" being late. "Desculpe pelo atraso." Fourth, use it for substitution or representation. You are doing something instead of someone else. I am working "for" my boss today. "Trabalho pelo meu chefe hoje." This means you are in his place. You are his substitute. Fifth, it works for "on behalf of." You speak "for" the whole group. "Falo por todos nós." You are the voice of the collective. Finally, use it for ratios and frequency. Twice "per" day. "Duas vezes por dia." Think of it as exchanging time for action. Even ordering food uses this. "Can I swap the fries for a salad?" That is a classic por moment.

Do not use por for a destination. If you are going "to" Lisbon, use para. Do not use it for a recipient of a gift. If the book is "for" Maria, use para. Avoid it for specific deadlines. "This report is for Monday" uses para. por is about the trade, not the target. If you confuse them, people might misunderstand. If you say you bought a gift por Maria, it sounds like you traded her! That would be a very awkward dinner conversation. Stick to para for the person receiving the gift. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. por is the yellow light of exchange. para is the green light of destination. If you use the wrong one, you might cause a linguistic fender-bender.

The biggest hurdle is the por vs para showdown. Many learners use por for purpose. "I study por learn" is wrong. It should be "para aprender." Another mistake is forgetting the contractions. Saying "Obrigado por a ajuda" sounds clunky. Always use pela. Some people use por for a recipient. "Este presente é por você." This implies an exchange. It means "This gift is in exchange for you." Unless you are a secret agent, you probably mean para. Finally, watch out for duration. While por can mean "during," B1 learners often overthink it. Focus on the exchange first. Most mistakes happen when you translate literally from English. English uses "for" for everything. Portuguese is much more specific. It's like having a specialized tool for every job.

Sometimes you might hear em troca de. This literally means "in exchange for." It is more formal than por. Use em troca de in business or contracts. "Recebi o carro em troca de serviços." por is much more common in daily life. It is punchy and quick. Another pattern is em vez de. This means "instead of." Use em vez de when there is no trade involved. Just a simple choice. por implies a replacement where you take a role. It is a subtle difference. But por is usually the safest bet for trades. Think of por as the casual cousin. em troca de is the one in the tuxedo. Both do the same job, but the vibe is different.