B1 · Intermedio Capítulo 6

Nuanced Comparisons and Passive Actions

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

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of nuance by distinguishing 'por' from 'para' and unlocking the elegance of passive voice.

  • Differentiate between 'por' and 'para' in daily exchanges and goals.
  • Express personal opinions and relative standards naturally.
  • Construct passive sentences to focus on actions rather than performers.
Precision in every word, elegance in every sentence.

Lo que aprenderás

Ready to level up your Portuguese? In this chapter, we're diving deep into the key differences between 'por' and 'para'. These two prepositions can be tricky, but don't worry! You'll learn how to use 'por' for reasons, exchanges (like

I bought this for ten euros
), or doing something on behalf of someone (
I did this for my friend
). 'Para', on the other hand, is for destinations, goals, or when you're giving something to someone; for example, "I'm going to Lisbon or This gift is for you." Mastering these distinctions will make your conversations sound incredibly natural. Next, you'll discover how to politely express your opinions with 'para mim' and make nuanced comparisons using 'para' – like saying
This is good for a beginner.
But that's not all! The next exciting part is learning passive sentences with 'ser' + past participle. This lets you focus on the action performed, like
The door was opened
or
The cake was baked,
without needing to state who did it. Finally, with 'estar' + past participle, you'll learn to describe the resulting state of an action; such as
The window is broken
or
The work is finished.
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to express yourself more precisely and like a native Portuguese speaker, adding richer detail to your conversations. Let's go!

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use 'por' for exchanges and 'para' for goals in a dialogue.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Describe a state or passive action using ser/estar + participle.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Welcome, B1 Portuguese learners! Ready to really elevate your communication skills? This chapter is your key to unlocking more natural and precise expression in Portuguese grammar.
We're diving deep into some of the most nuanced aspects of the language, moving beyond basic sentence structures to truly master how native speakers convey meaning. Understanding these concepts will not only improve your fluency but also significantly enhance your comprehension in real-life conversations.
Our focus today is on two notoriously tricky prepositions, por and para, and then we'll explore the fascinating world of passive constructions. Mastering the distinctions between por and para is fundamental for conveying everything from reasons and exchanges to destinations and goals. You’ll learn how to express opinions politely with para mim and make nuanced comparisons.
Later, we'll unravel the secrets of the passive voice using ser + past participle to talk about actions, and estar + past participle to describe resulting states. By the end, you'll be able to add rich detail to your stories and sound more like a native, making your Portuguese grammar shine!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down these essential Portuguese grammar rules, focusing on how they help you express yourself with greater precision.
First, the dynamic duo: Por vs. Para. While both can often translate to for in English, their uses are distinct.
Por is used for reasons, duration, movement through, and exchanges. For example, when you're swapping or buying (in exchange for) something: Comprei o livro por dez euros (I bought the book for ten euros). It also covers doing favors: Fiz isso por você (I did this for you – on your behalf).
Para, on the other hand, indicates purpose, destination, recipient, or a deadline. Think of it as to, in order to, or
for a specific purpose.
For instance, Vou para Lisboa (I'm going to Lisbon) or Este presente é para você (This gift is for you).
Next, expressing Portuguese Opinions: To Me, To You (Para mim, Para você). When you want to state your personal opinion politely, you use para mim (for me/in my opinion). For example, Para mim, é um bom plano (For me, it's a good plan).
This is a common and natural way to introduce your perspective.
We also use para for a comparison standard. This means comparing something against a specific benchmark or group. For example, Ele fala bem para um iniciante (He speaks well for a beginner). This shows that his speaking ability is good when considering he's a beginner.
Now, let's move to passive actions. The passive voice with Ser: It was done focuses on the action itself, emphasizing what happened rather than who did it. We use the verb ser (to be) followed by a past participle.
For example, A porta foi aberta (The door was opened). This structure is crucial for formal writing or when the agent is unknown or unimportant.
Finally, we have describing results: Estar + Past Participle. While ser + past participle describes the action, estar + past participle describes the *state* resulting from an action. For instance, A porta está aberta (The door is open/has been opened – describing its current state).
This is vital for distinguishing between an action being performed and the resulting condition. Mastering these distinctions will significantly enhance your B1 Portuguese communication.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: Este presente é por você.
✓ Correct: Este presente é para você. (This gift is for you.)
*Explanation:* Por implies exchange or acting on behalf of, while para indicates the recipient or purpose. A gift is *for* someone (recipient), not *in exchange for* them.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: A janela está quebrada por uma criança.
✓ Correct: A janela foi quebrada por uma criança. (The window was broken by a child.)
*Explanation:* Estar + past participle describes the resulting state (the window is broken). If you want to describe the *action* of breaking and mention the agent (the child), you need ser + past participle for the passive voice.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Para mim, é um bom preço. (meaning: "It's a good price because of me")
✓ Correct: Por mim, é um bom preço. (It's a good price, as far as I'm concerned/from my perspective on the price itself.) OR Para mim, está bom. (For me, it's fine/good – expressing personal satisfaction.)
*Explanation:* This is subtle! While para mim expresses *personal opinion*, por mim can mean "as far as I'm concerned or by me in a from my side" sense. If you're stating your *opinion* about the price being good *in general*, you'd typically use Para mim, é um bom preço. However, if you're saying "it's a good price *from my perspective* (as someone who might pay it)
, por mim can be used. The common mistake is confusing the specific use of para mim for opinion with por for a more general
from my point of view" about a characteristic. For a direct opinion, stick to para mim.

Real Conversations

A

A

Quanto você pagou por este relógio? (How much did you pay for this watch?)
B

B

Paguei cem euros por ele. (I paid one hundred euros for it.)
A

A

Você acha que o projeto será entregue a tempo? (Do you think the project will be delivered on time?)
B

B

Para mim, sim. Foi bem planejado. (For me, yes. It was well-planned.)
A

A

A porta do carro está amassada! (The car door is dented!)
B

B

Sim, foi amassada no estacionamento. Mas já está sendo consertada. (Yes, it was dented in the parking lot. But it's already being fixed.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I choose between por and para when talking about duration?

Por is generally used for duration (por duas horas - for two hours). Para is used for a deadline or future point in time (para amanhã - for tomorrow).

Q

Can I always use ser + past participle to talk about something being done?

No, it depends on whether you mean the *action* of being done (ser) or the *resulting state* of being done/finished (estar). O trabalho foi feito (The work *was done* - the action). O trabalho está feito (The work *is finished* - the state).

Q

What's the most polite way to introduce my opinion in Portuguese grammar?

The most common and polite way is to use Para mim, ... (For me, ... or In my opinion, ...).

Cultural Context

In daily Portuguese, the distinction between por and para is deeply ingrained, reflecting subtle nuances in intention and relationship. Brazilians, for example, often use para mim as a standard polite way to express personal opinion, much like in my opinion in English. The passive constructions, especially estar + past participle, are widely used to describe situations and conditions without needing to assign blame or credit, making conversations smoother and more descriptive.
These structures are integral to sounding natural and sophisticated in any Portuguese-speaking context.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

Para mim, o café brasileiro é o melhor do mundo.

To me, Brazilian coffee is the best in the world.

Opiniones en portugués: Para mí, para ti (Para mim, Para você)
2

Para ela, este filme é muito parado.

To her, this movie is very slow.

Opiniones en portugués: Para mí, para ti (Para mim, Para você)
3

Este apartamento é barato para o Rio de Janeiro.

Este apartamento es barato para ser Río de Janeiro.

'Para' como estándar de comparación
4

Ele joga muito bem para quem começou ontem.

Él juega muy bien para alguien que empezó ayer.

'Para' como estándar de comparación
5

O livro foi escrito por J.K. Rowling.

El libro fue escrito por J.K. Rowling.

Voz Pasiva con Ser: "Fue hecho" (Foi feito)
6

As fotos foram tiradas pelo meu pai.

Las fotos fueron tomadas por mi padre.

Voz Pasiva con Ser: "Fue hecho" (Foi feito)
7

A conta já está paga.

La cuenta ya está pagada.

Describir Resultados: Estar + Participio
8

O meu celular está quebrado.

Mi celular está roto.

Describir Resultados: Estar + Participio

Consejos y trucos (4)

🎯

El truco del 'A cambio de'

Si en tu cabeza puedes sustituir 'por' con 'a cambio de' o 'debido a', entonces necesitas usar 'por' en portugués. Por ejemplo:
Troquei minha maçã por uma banana.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'Por' en Portugués: Intercambios y Precios
🎯

El truco de la sustitución

Si puedes decir 'en lugar de' o 'en nombre de' en español, usa siempre por.
Eu trabalho por você hoje.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Por vs. Para: Haciendo Favores e Intercambios
💡

Use 'Pra'

In casual speech, always use 'pra' instead of 'para'. It sounds much more natural.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Opiniones en portugués: Para mí, para ti (Para mim, Para você)
💬

El cumplido con trampa

Los brasileños lo usan mucho para bromear. Decir
Você é pontual para um brasileiro
implica que normalmente somos impuntuales.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'Para' como estándar de comparación

Vocabulario clave (5)

trocar to exchange objetivo goal opinião opinion iniciante beginner concluído finished/completed

Real-World Preview

shopping-bag

At the Market

Review Summary

  • Por + valor
  • Por (motive) vs Para (goal)
  • Para mim/você
  • Para + substantivo
  • Ser + particípio
  • Estar + particípio

Errores comunes

You used 'por' for a goal (work). Always use 'para' when indicating purpose.

Wrong: Vou para Lisboa por trabalhar.
Correcto: Vou para Lisboa para trabalhar.

Passive voice requires the past participle, not the gerund.

Wrong: A casa foi construindo.
Correcto: A casa foi construída.

You are describing a resulting state, so you must use 'estar'.

Wrong: O trabalho é acabado.
Correcto: O trabalho está acabado.

Next Steps

You have done an amazing job navigating these nuances. Keep practicing, and you'll soon be speaking with true Portuguese precision!

Write a diary entry using 5 passive sentences.

Continue to: Past Tense Mastery: Preterite and Imperfect

Práctica rápida (10)

Elige la frase que implique un FAVOR o SUSTITUCIÓN.

¿Cuál frase significa 'Escribí el email para que ella no tuviera que hacerlo'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Escrevi o e-mail por ela.
'Por ela' implica que lo hiciste en su lugar. 'Para ela' significaría que ella es quien recibe el correo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Por vs. Para: Haciendo Favores e Intercambios

Corrige el error de la preposición.

Obrigado para o presente!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Obrigado pelo presente!
Siempre decimos 'Obrigado por'. Como 'presente' es masculino, 'por' + 'o' se contrae en 'pelo'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Por vs. Para: Haciendo Favores e Intercambios

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

Eu paguei dez euros ___ almoço.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pelo
'Almoço' es masculino, así que 'por + o' se convierte en 'pelo'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'Por' en Portugués: Intercambios y Precios

Completa con la forma correcta (por, pelo, pela, pelos, pelas)

Eu não posso ir. Você pode ir ___ mim?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: por
Aquí estás pidiendo a alguien que vaya 'en tu lugar'. Como 'mim' es un pronombre personal, usamos 'por' sin artículo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Por vs. Para: Haciendo Favores e Intercambios

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Para eu, isso é fácil.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Para mim, isso é fácil.
Use 'mim'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Opiniones en portugués: Para mí, para ti (Para mim, Para você)

Encuentra y corrige el error en el precio.

Comprei a blusa para trinta reais.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Comprei a blusa por trinta reais.
Los precios siempre llevan 'por' sin artículo, a menos que te refieras a una cantidad específica mencionada antes.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'Por' en Portugués: Intercambios y Precios

¿Cuál frase es correcta para un intercambio?

Elige la frase gramaticalmente correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Obrigado pela ajuda.
'Ajuda' es femenino, por lo que usamos 'pela' (por + a).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'Por' en Portugués: Intercambios y Precios

Encuentra y corrige el error de género.

Find and fix the mistake:

A porta da casa está trancado.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A porta da casa está trancada.
Como 'porta' es femenino singular, el participio debe terminar en '-a' (trancada).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Describir Resultados: Estar + Participio

Fill in the blank.

___ mim, o filme é bom.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Para
Use 'para' for opinions.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Opiniones en portugués: Para mí, para ti (Para mim, Para você)

Choose the correct pronoun.

Para ___ , é bom.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mim
Use 'mim' after prepositions.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Opiniones en portugués: Para mí, para ti (Para mim, Para você)

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

¡Siempre 'por'! Piénsalo como un intercambio: das dinero por (a cambio de) el producto.
Es una contracción obligatoria. Al portugués le gusta fluir, así que 'por' y 'o' se derriten en pelo.
¡Este es un caso especial! Normalmente dices
Estou feliz por você
porque la causa de tu felicidad es esa persona.
Sí, por causa de es solo una versión más larga y enfática.
Não fui por chuva
y
Não fui por causa da chuva
significan casi lo mismo.
Yes, but 'na minha opinião' is often preferred.
Because 'mim' is the tonic pronoun used after prepositions.
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Expressing Cause, Path, and Rate with 'Por'
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Past Tense Mastery: Preterite and Imperfect
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