Spanish Grammar/Para

Para is used…

to signify destination

                 e.g. Mario va para la escuela. – Mario is going to the school.

to show the use or purpose of a thing

                 e.g. El libro es para estudiar. – The book is for studying.

meaning: "in order to," "for the purpose of"

                 e.g. Sal de la casa para conocer a amigos. – Leave the house (in order to) make friends.

to indicate a recipient

                 e.g. Este paquete es para usted. – This package is for you.

to specify a deadline or time

                 e.g. La tarea debe estar completa para el miércoles. – The homework should be done by Wednesday.

when expressings something contrary to what was expected

                 e.g. Para un niño es muy intelegente. – For a child, he is very intelligent.

expression: estar + para + infinitive – expresses an action that will soon be completed

                  e.g. La niña está para cumplir trece años. – The child is about to turn thirteen.

Both para is used in many common expressions and phrases. Here are some good examples:

para siempre	forever
para dónde	where to
estar para	to be about to
para adelante	forward
para detrás	backward
para abajo	downward
para entonces	by that time
ser tal para cual	to be two of a kind