1. To denote the object of an action (generally "to" or "in order to"), as—
Trabajo para ganarme la vida: I work to (in order to) earn my living.
2. To denote destination (or direction), as—
El tren sale para Valencia: The train leaves for Valencia.
Esta cédula es para el Sr. Fulano: This warrant is for Mr. So-and-So.
Voy para casa: I am going towards home.
Many idiomatic uses of Por and Para must be learnt by practice.
VOCABULARY.
=abogar=, to plead =acceder=, to accede =afanarse=, to exert oneself, to take much trouble =ahorrar=, to save =ajuste=, adjustment =á la verdad=, really =altos hornos=, blast furnaces, foundries =amarillo=, yellow, buff =amistad=, friendship =aparentar=, to show outwardly =aprovecharse=, to take advantage of, to avail oneself =aproximarse=, to approach, to draw near =automóvil=, motor-car =azadas=, hoes =azadones=, pick-axes =azuelas=, adzes =bultos=, packages =cizallas=, shears =croquis=, sketch =diseñador=, draughtsman =*disponer=, to dispose, to arrange =echar al correo=, to (throw into the) post =empeoramiento=, deterioration =en blanco=, blank =estancia=, stay =(un) fardín, un cuarto=, a farthing, a trifling amount =*forzar=, to force, to strain =hachuelas=, hatchets =hilar=, to spin =largo de talle=, full, complete =lingotes de hierro=, pig-iron =martillo=, hammer =molestia=, trouble =moratoria=, extension of time (for payment) =palas=, shovels =para= (=estar=), (to be) on the point of … =picos=, picks =plomo=, slate, lead colour =por= (=estar por escribir=), to be (yet) unwritten =previsión=, foresight =los síntomas=, the symptoms =suspender los pagos=, to stop payments =tejer=, to weave =tenazas=, tongs =textil=, textile =*trocar=, to barter, to exchange =yerno, hijo político=, son-in-law