Preposition Por: Express

The coolest thing about por is how it loves to mingle. It rarely stays alone when an article is nearby. In Portuguese, we call this contraction. It’s like a grammar high-five that creates a brand new word.

• por + o (the, masculine) = pelo
• por + a (the, feminine) = pela
• por + os (the, masculine plural) = pelos
• por + as (the, feminine plural) = pelas

You’ll also see it sticking to pronouns like isso to make por isso (that's why). Understanding these contractions is half the battle. If you forget them, you'll sound a bit like a robot. Nobody wants to be a grammar robot. Keep the flow natural by merging them every single time. It's one of those small details that makes you sound truly fluent.

1. 1Using por follows a very logical set of steps. Think of it like a recipe for a perfect sentence.
2. 2Identify the relationship: Is it movement, reason, or exchange?
3. 3Pick the base: Start with por.
4. 4Check for the article: Is there a o, a, os, or as coming next?
5. 5Merge the words: Turn por o into pelo immediately.
6. 6Place the noun: Add your object or location at the end.
7. 7Example: Vou (I go) + por + o + parque (the park) = Vou pelo parque.

You’ll reach for por in five main scenarios. First is Movement Through Space. If you’re walking through a door or traveling via a city, use por. Imagine you're a water molecule flowing through a pipe. That flow is por.

Second is Duration of Time. While durante is common, por works for "for a period." Use it when saying you’ll stay somewhere por duas semanas. It’s the "time-path" you are taking.

Third is Exchange and Price. Buying a coffee for three euros? That's por três euros. Trading a favor for another? Por. It represents the swap.

Fourth is Reason or Cause. Why did you do it? Por amor. Por medo. It points to the motivation behind the action. Think of it as the "because of" preposition.

Finally, use it for Means of Communication or Transport. Talking por telefone or sending an email por e-mail is standard. It’s the channel you’re using to get the job done.

Avoid por when you are talking about Destinations. If you are going *to* a place and staying there, that’s para. Don't say Vou por Londres if London is your final stop. That would mean you're just passing through on your way to Paris.

Also, steer clear of it for Deadlines. If a project is due "by Friday," use para. Using por here would confuse your boss. They might think you're working on it *during* Friday, not finishing it *before* then.

Lastly, don't use it for Recipients. Giving a gift to someone? Use para. If you say a gift is por João, it sounds like João is the *reason* you bought a gift for someone else. Awkward, right?

The biggest trap is the por vs para showdown. Many learners say Obrigado para tudo. Wrong! Gratitude is a reason, so it must be Obrigado por tudo.

Another classic is forgetting the contractions. Saying por o caminho sounds clunky. It must be pelo caminho. It’s like wearing socks with sandals—technically possible, but visually painful for natives.

Confusion with porque is also common. Remember: porque is "because" (conjuncton), while por is "for/by" (preposition). You can’t swap them. You wouldn't say "I did it because love," right? You'd say "I did it for love." Same logic in Portuguese.

Let’s look at por vs para one more time. Imagine you’re at a train station.

• O comboio vai por Lisboa: The train goes *through* Lisbon (it doesn't stop forever).
• O comboio vai para Lisboa: Lisbon is the *last stop* (the destination).

See the difference? Por is the scenic route; para is the finish line.

What about por vs pelo? There is no difference in meaning. Pelo is simply por wearing a hat (the article o). If the noun is masculine and specific, put the hat on. If it's general, leave it off.