B1 · Intermedio Capítulo 5

Expressing Cause, Path, and Rate with 'Por'

6 Reglas totales
62 ejemplos
5 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master 'Por' to explain the 'why', 'how', and 'where' of your Portuguese journey.

  • Express the cause or reason behind any action or emotion.
  • Describe movement through spaces and the methods used to communicate.
  • Calculate rates, prices, and time durations accurately.
Connect your thoughts with the power of 'Por'.

Lo que aprenderás

Hey, ready to level up your Portuguese? This chapter is all about 'Por' – that little word with HUGE power! You'll stop just getting by and start explaining things like a pro. Ever wondered how to say *why* something happened, or that you walked *through* a beautiful park? What about how much something costs *per* kilo, or that you studied *for* hours? 'Por' is your answer to all of these! We'll dive into its six main roles: explaining the *cause* or *reason* behind actions, describing *movement through a space* (like

walking along the river
), identifying the *means* or *method* of an action (sent by mail), and even talking about *rates* and *durations* of time (working per day). By understanding how 'por' connects these ideas – cause, path, method, rate, time – you'll unlock a whole new layer of expression. You'll master nuanced differences between 'por' and 'para', helping you avoid common mistakes intermediate learners make. After this, you'll effortlessly chat about *why* you love Portuguese, *how* you learned it, and *for how long* you've been practicing, making your conversations much more natural and engaging. Get ready to sound truly B1!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to explain the reason for an action using 'por causa de' or 'por' + noun.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to navigate a city by describing paths 'through' or 'along' specific landmarks.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to discuss prices per unit and frequency of habits per time period.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Hey there, language learners! Ready to unlock a super versatile and incredibly common word in Portuguese grammar? This chapter is all about 'Por' – a tiny preposition with immense power that's absolutely crucial for reaching a B1 Portuguese level and beyond.
Mastering 'Por' will significantly boost your ability to express complex ideas, making your conversations much more natural and precise. You'll stop just translating word-for-word and start thinking like a native speaker. We'll explore how 'Por' helps you explain *why* something happened, describe *movement through a space*, identify the *means* or *method* of an action, and even talk about *rates* and *durations* of time.
By the end of this guide, you’ll effortlessly differentiate 'Por' from its sometimes-confusing cousin, 'Para', avoiding common intermediate mistakes and truly sounding like a pro. Get ready to express cause, path, and rate with confidence!

How This Grammar Works

The preposition 'Por' is a workhorse in Portuguese, connecting ideas in numerous ways. Let's break down its key functions, which are essential for any B1 Portuguese speaker.
First, 'Por' is fundamental for Expressing Cause & Reason. It tells us *why* something happens or *because of what*.
* Ele fez isso por amor. (He did that out of love.)
* A reunião foi adiada por causa da chuva. (The meeting was postponed because of the rain.)
Next, it's used for Expressing Cause, Exchange & Path. While cause is covered above, 'Por' also indicates exchange (like trading one thing for another) and movement along or through a path.
* Troquei meu carro por uma moto. (I exchanged my car for a motorcycle.)
* Caminhamos pela floresta. (We walked through the forest.) – Note pela is por + a.
This leads us to Portuguese Prepositions: Through and Along (Por). It describes movement *through* or *along* a place.
* Passamos por Lisboa. (We passed through Lisbon.)
* Andei pelo parque. (I walked through/along the park.) – Again, pelo is por + o.
'Por' is also vital for Means, Methods, and Agents. It specifies *how* an action is performed or *by whom* (in passive sentences).
* Enviei a carta por correio. (I sent the letter by mail.)
* O livro foi escrito por um autor famoso. (The book was written by a famous author.)
When talking about quantities or frequencies, we use 'Por' for Saying 'Per' or 'By': Rates with Por.
* Custa dez euros por quilo. (It costs ten euros per kilo.)
* Trabalho oito horas por dia. (I work eight hours per day.)
Finally, Por for Time (Duration & Approximation) indicates a duration of time or an approximate period.
* Estudei por três horas. (I studied for three hours.)
* Ele virá por volta das cinco. (He will come around five o'clock.)
Mastering these uses of 'Por' will significantly enhance your understanding of Portuguese grammar and your ability to communicate effectively.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: Fiz o trabalho para meu amigo. (I did the work for my friend.)
✓ Correct: Fiz o trabalho por meu amigo. (I did the work for my friend – *meaning on behalf of/instead of him*)
*Explanation:* While para often means for (purpose, destination), por is used when you do something *on behalf of* someone, or *in exchange for* them. If you did the work *for* your friend *so they could have it*, you might use para. But if you did it *because your friend couldn't*, por is correct.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Viajamos para o trem. (We traveled to the train.)
✓ Correct: Viajamos de trem. (We traveled by train.) OR Viajamos por trem. (Less common, but still means by train).
*Explanation:* When referring to the means of transportation, de is most common. However, por can also be used for means/method, especially in more formal contexts or when emphasizing the *channel* through which something occurs. Para indicates destination, not the means of travel itself.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Estudei para cinco horas. (I studied for five hours.)
✓ Correct: Estudei por cinco horas. (I studied for five hours.)
*Explanation:* To express a duration of time, por is the correct preposition. Para implies a purpose or destination, not how long an action lasted.

Real Conversations

A

A

Por que você está tão feliz hoje? (Why are you so happy today?)
B

B

Estou feliz por ter passado no exame! (I'm happy because I passed the exam!)
A

A

Você prefere viajar de carro ou por trem? (Do you prefer to travel by car or by train?)
B

B

Prefiro ir por avião, é mais rápido. (I prefer to go by plane, it's faster.)
A

A

A encomenda chegou por correio ou por uma transportadora? (Did the package arrive by mail or by a shipping company?)
B

B

Chegou por uma transportadora, foi entregue por um motorista. (It arrived by a shipping company, it was delivered by a driver.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between por and para when expressing purpose?

Para typically expresses purpose or destination (

for the sake of,
to), while por implies cause, reason, or exchange (because of, on behalf of, in exchange for).

Q

Can por always be replaced by pelo/pela?

Pelo (por + o) and pela (por + a) are contractions of por with definite articles. They are used when por is followed by a masculine or feminine singular noun, respectively. So, no, por isn't *always* replaced; it depends on whether an article follows.

Q

How do native speakers use por to talk about approximate time?

They often use phrases like por volta de (around/approximately) or simply por followed by a general time period, like por estes dias (around these days).

Cultural Context

In everyday Portuguese, 'Por' is incredibly common and often used fluidly. Native speakers might sometimes use 'por' in ways that seem subtle to learners, especially in idiomatic expressions. For instance,
obrigado por...
(thank you *for*...) is a fixed expression using por to indicate the reason for gratitude.
While regional accents and common phrases vary, the core grammatical functions of 'por' remain consistent across Brazil and Portugal, making it universally understood and essential for authentic communication.

Ejemplos clave (4)

1

Eu caminhei pelo parque hoje de manhã.

Caminé por el parque esta mañana.

Preposiciones en Portugués: A través y A lo largo (Por)
2

Ela gosta de correr pela praia ao pôr do sol.

A ella le gusta correr por la playa al atardecer.

Preposiciones en Portugués: A través y A lo largo (Por)
3

Mandei a foto pelo WhatsApp.

Envié la foto por WhatsApp.

La preposición portuguesa 'Por': Medios, métodos y agentes
4

O vídeo foi editado pela Maria.

El video fue editado por Maria.

La preposición portuguesa 'Por': Medios, métodos y agentes

Consejos y trucos (4)

⚠️

La regla del 'Pum'

Nunca juntes 'por' con 'um' o 'uma'. Mantenlos separados: por um y por uma. ¡Contraerlo suena como 'pum' (un gas), lo que arruinaría la charla!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La preposición portuguesa 'Por': Expresar causa y motivo
💡

La regla del intercambio

Siempre que el dinero cambie de manos o cambies una cosa por otra, usa 'Por'. Es la preposición transaccional:
Troquei o café por chá.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preposición Por: Expresando Causa, Intercambio y Camino
🎯

La regla del GPS

Si en español puedes decir 'vía' o 'a través de', casi seguro necesitas 'por' en portugués. Por ejemplo:
Enviei o arquivo por e-mail.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preposiciones en Portugués: A través y A lo largo (Por)
💡

La regla del WhatsApp

Cuando hables de apps y sitios web, casi siempre usa 'pelo' porque 'aplicativo' y 'site' son masculinos en portugués:
Vi a notícia pelo Instagram.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La preposición portuguesa 'Por': Medios, métodos y agentes

Vocabulario clave (7)

motivo reason troca exchange caminho path/way correio mail quilo kilogram durante during (often synonymous with por in time) através through

Real-World Preview

shopping-cart

At the Local Market

clock

Explaining a Delay

Review Summary

  • Verbo + por + Substantivo
  • Verbo de Movimento + pelo/pela + Local
  • Número + por + Unidade

Errores comunes

Use 'para' for purpose (to do something) and 'por' for cause. Since seeing birds is the goal/purpose, 'para' is required.

Wrong: Vou para o parque por ver os pássaros.
Correcto: Vou ao parque para ver os pássaros.

In Portuguese, 'por' must contract with definite articles. 'Por' + 'a' always becomes 'pela'.

Wrong: Eu ando por a rua.
Correcto: Eu ando pela rua.

In passive voice, the agent (the person doing the action) is introduced by 'por', not 'para'.

Wrong: O livro foi escrito para Machado de Assis.
Correcto: O livro foi escrito por Machado de Assis.

Next Steps

You've just unlocked one of the most versatile tools in the Portuguese language. Your ability to explain reasons and paths will make your conversations much more fluid. Keep practicing those contractions!

Narrate your walk to work/school using 'pelo/pela'.

Look at a grocery receipt and state prices 'por quilo'.

Continue to: Nuanced Comparisons and Passive Actions

Práctica rápida (9)

Selecciona la traducción correcta para 'Gracias por la pizza'.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Obrigado pela pizza.
'Pizza' es femenino y específico, así que 'por' + 'a' se convierte en 'pela'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Decir 'Por' o 'Cada': Tasas con Por (por dia, pelo quilo)

Corrige el error de la preposición.

O carro vai a 100km para hora.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O carro vai a 100km por hora.
Las velocidades y tasas usan 'por', nunca 'para'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Decir 'Por' o 'Cada': Tasas con Por (por dia, pelo quilo)

Completa la frase de frecuencia.

Eu bebo café duas vezes ___ dia. (Bebo café dos veces al día)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: por
Para frecuencias (veces por periodo), siempre usamos 'por'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Decir 'Por' o 'Cada': Tasas con Por (por dia, pelo quilo)

Encuentra y corrige el error en esta frase sobre la causa.

Não saímos por a chuva forte.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Não saímos pela chuva forte.
'Chuva' es femenino singular. 'Por' + 'a' debe contraerse en pela.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La preposición portuguesa 'Por': Expresar causa y motivo

Encuentra y corrige el error en esta instrucción del GPS.

Find and fix the mistake:

O GPS diz para ir por o caminho mais curto.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O GPS diz para ir pelo caminho mais curto.
'Por + o' debe contraerse en 'pelo' cuando le sigue un sustantivo masculino singular como 'caminho'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preposiciones en Portugués: A través y A lo largo (Por)

¿Qué frase expresa correctamente la razón?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Obrigado pelo seu tempo.
'Tempo' es masculino singular. Usamos 'por' para la razón y debemos contraerlo con el artículo 'o' para obtener pelo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La preposición portuguesa 'Por': Expresar causa y motivo

Completa el espacio con la contracción correcta de 'por'.

Nós caminhamos ______ (por + a) margem do rio.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pela
Como 'margem' (orilla) es un sustantivo femenino singular, 'por + a' se convierte en 'pela'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preposiciones en Portugués: A través y A lo largo (Por)

Rellena el espacio con la contracción correcta (pelo, pela, pelos, pelas).

Ela está muito feliz ___ novo emprego.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pelo
'Emprego' es masculino singular, así que usamos 'por' + 'o' = pelo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La preposición portuguesa 'Por': Expresar causa y motivo

¿Cuál es la frase correcta para decir 'paso por la puerta'?

Elige la oración gramaticalmente correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu passo pela porta.
'Pela' es la contracción obligatoria de 'por + a' para expresar movimiento a través de la puerta.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preposiciones en Portugués: A través y A lo largo (Por)

Score: /9

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

En portugués, algunas preposiciones deben contraerse con los artículos para fluir mejor. 'Por' + 'o' se convirtió en pelo históricamente y es obligatorio.
Usa por causa de cuando quieras ser muy específico sobre el motivo. Es como decir 'específicamente debido a'.
Imagina que 'para' es la flecha dando en el blanco (destino) y 'por' es la flecha volando (proceso). Usa 'para' para decir a dónde vas y 'por' para decir cómo llegas:
Vou para o Rio pelo litoral
.
Mira la palabra que sigue. Si es un sustantivo específico con 'el' o 'la' (o/a), júntalos: Pelo parque (por + o). Si es algo general como 'por suerte', se queda como Por sorte.
¡Claro que sí! Por ejemplo:
A água passa pelo cano
(El agua pasa por el tubo). Funciona para cualquier cosa que atraviese un espacio.
El portugués evolucionó del latín y la 'r' de 'por' se mezcló con la 'l' de los artículos antiguos. Pelo es simplemente la forma que quedó tras siglos de hablar rápido.
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Nuanced Comparisons and Passive Actions
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