Spanish Rates: Expressing 'Per' (Por vs. Para)
por to express rates, speed, or unit prices to sound natural and clear in Spanish.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'por' to express 'per' when talking about rates, prices, or frequency.
- Use 'por' for price per unit: 'Dos euros por kilo'.
- Use 'por' for speed: 'Cien kilómetros por hora'.
- Use 'por' for frequency: 'Dos veces por semana'.
Overview
Understanding how to express rates in Spanish is a cornerstone of clear communication, especially at an A1 level where foundational concepts are being built. When you need to convey ideas such as "per hour," "per kilo," or "per person," the preposition por is your essential tool. It serves to establish a relationship of distribution, exchange, or proportion between a quantity and a unit of measurement.
Think of por as the linguistic mechanism that connects "how much" to "for each unit." This usage is widespread, from discussing internet speeds to grocery prices or even how often you engage in an activity. While seemingly straightforward, new learners often confuse por with para in these contexts. Para carries a distinct meaning of purpose or destination, making it inappropriate for expressing rates.
This comprehensive guide will equip you with a deep understanding of por for rates, clarifying its fundamental role and providing the necessary tools to avoid common pitfalls. You will learn not just what to say, but why specific structures are grammatically correct and logically sound.
How This Grammar Works
por in expressing rates is deeply rooted in its broader semantic scope, which centers on concepts of movement through a space, means or cause, duration, and crucially for our context, exchange or distribution. When we talk about a rate, we are essentially describing how one quantity is distributed across or measured by another unit. For instance, cien kilómetros por hora (one hundred kilometers per hour) illustrates how distance (the hundred kilometers) is distributed across a unit of time (each hour).por acts as a marker of proportionality, indicating an equivalency: for every hour that passes, one hundred kilometers are covered.por establishes a ratio or a basis for calculation. It signifies "for each," "per every," or "by means of." This aligns with por's other uses, such as expressing the cause (lo hago por ti - I do it for you, out of love/cause) or the means (hablamos por teléfono - we speak by phone, means). In the context of rates, por signifies the medium or the unit through which something is measured or exchanged.para. Para inherently signals purpose, destination, recipient, or a deadline. When you use para, you are pointing towards an end goal or a specific target.el regalo es para María (the gift is for Maria - recipient) or necesito esto para mañana (I need this for tomorrow - deadline). Applying para to a rate, such as diez euros para kilo, would conceptually mean "ten euros destined for a kilo" or "ten euros with the purpose of a kilo." This creates a semantic anomaly; money does not have a "purpose" of becoming a kilo. Instead, money is exchanged for a kilo, or a price is applied per kilo.por is not arbitrary; it is a direct reflection of its core function in Spanish grammar to express relationships of distribution, exchange, and proportionality, making it the only logically sound preposition for rates. This deeper understanding of the conceptual difference between por and para is vital for moving beyond simple memorization to true grammatical intuition.Formation Pattern
por + [Unit of Measurement]
Veinte kilómetros por hora. (Twenty kilometers per hour.)
Cincuenta dólares por noche. (Fifty dollars per night.)
Mucha energía por día. (A lot of energy per day.)
Poco dinero por trabajo. (Little money per job.)
Correr un maratón por año. (To run a marathon per year.)
Escribir dos correos por hora. (To write two emails per hour.)
Por: This is the invariable preposition that acts as the core connector. It directly translates to "per," "for each," or "at a rate of." Importantly, por never changes its form; it remains por regardless of the gender or number of the nouns it connects. This simplifies its application significantly.
hora (hour), día (day), semana (week), mes (month), año (year), minuto (minute), segundo (second).
kilómetro (kilometer), milla (mile), metro (meter).
kilo (kilo), libra (pound), litro (liter), galón (gallon).
persona (person), unidad (unit), paquete (package).
tres, cien, muchos, pagar |
por |
día, hora, kilo, persona |
El precio es de cinco euros por kilo de tomates. (The price is five euros per kilo of tomatoes.)
Conduce a ochenta millas por hora en la carretera. (He drives eighty miles per hour on the highway.)
Solamente trabajo dos días por semana. (I only work two days per week.)
por, the use of the definite article (el, la, los, las) before the unit of measurement is common, though not always strictly mandatory, especially in simple, direct expressions. For A1 learners, directly following por with the noun (por hora, por kilo) is often sufficient and correct. However, you will encounter por el día, por la tarde, or por la noche when referring to parts of the day or specific time periods in a more general sense, or when the article clarifies the specific unit. In the context of pure rates, por + noun is the most straightforward and always acceptable.
When To Use It
por in expressing rates extends across numerous everyday scenarios. Its consistent application allows you to quantify actions, costs, and measurements with precision. Recognizing these common contexts will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.- Speed, Velocity, and Throughput: This is arguably the most common application of
por. Whether you're discussing travel, data transfer, or the pace of a process,porspecifies the amount achieved per unit of time or distance. Mi coche puede alcanzar los doscientos veinte kilómetros por hora.(My car can reach two hundred twenty kilometers per hour.)La nueva conexión a internet descarga cincuenta megabytes por segundo.(The new internet connection downloads fifty megabytes per second.)El río fluye a tres metros por segundo.(The river flows at three meters per second.)- Cultural Insight: In Spanish-speaking countries, speed limits are almost universally expressed in
kilómetros por hora(km/h), not miles.
- Price per Unit: When purchasing goods that are sold by weight, volume, or individual item,
porclearly indicates the cost associated with each unit. This is indispensable for shopping and managing finances. Las fresas están a cuatro euros por caja.(The strawberries are four euros per box.)En este supermercado, el aceite de oliva cuesta siete dólares por litro.(In this supermarket, olive oil costs seven dollars per liter.)Pagaré veinte pesos por cada aguacate grande.(I will pay twenty pesos for each large avocado.)- Observation: Notice the phrase
están a cuatro euros(they are at four euros), which is common for stating a current price, often then followed or implied withpor cajaorel kilo. This highlights thatacan state the immediate price, butpordescribes the rate per unit.
- Frequency and Repetition: To describe how often an action or event occurs within a specific time frame,
poris the definitive choice. Visito a mis abuelos una vez por semana.(I visit my grandparents once per week.)Intento leer un libro completo por mes.(I try to read one complete book per month.)El profesor asigna mucha tarea dos veces por semana.(The professor assigns a lot of homework two times per week.)- Tip: For clarity, numbers greater than one are often followed by
veces(times), as indos veces por semana.
- Mathematical Proportions and Percentages:
Poris integral to expressing ratios, especially in percentages, where it directly translates to "per hundred." El interés del préstamo es del cinco por ciento anual.(The loan interest is five percent annually.) – Note the use ofdel(de+el) before the percentage.Hay una probabilidad de uno por mil de que eso ocurra.(There is a probability of one per thousand that that will happen.)
- Distribution and Allotment (Per Person/Item): When allocating or dividing resources, costs, or responsibilities among individuals or items,
porspecifies the share for each unit. La cuenta total es de cincuenta dólares, son veinticinco por persona.(The total bill is fifty dollars, it's twenty-five per person.)Recibimos un folleto por cada visitante al museo.(We receive one brochure per each visitor to the museum.)
por is the correct and most natural preposition. It facilitates precise communication across diverse practical contexts in Spanish.Common Mistakes
por and other prepositions like para, a, and occasionally cada. Understanding why these alternatives are incorrect for rates is as important as knowing when to use por.- The
Porvs.ParaTrap: This is the most significant and pervasive mistake. Bothporandparacan mean "for" in English, but their functions in Spanish are fundamentally different. Para: Conveys purpose, destination, recipient, or a deadline. It points towards an end goal.- Correct
paraexample:Compré flores para mi madre.(I bought flowers for my mother – recipient/purpose). Por: Conveys cause, means, duration, exchange, or distribution through/over a unit. It describes the reason, method, or rate.- Correct
porexample:Trabajo ocho horas por día.(I work eight hours per day – distribution over unit). - The Mistake:
El taxi cobró diez euros para kilómetro.(Incorrect: The taxi charged ten euros destined for a kilometer.) - The Correction:
El taxi cobró diez euros por kilómetro.(Correct: The taxi charged ten euros for each kilometer.) - Why it's wrong: Using
paraimplies that thediez eurosare the purpose or destination of thekilómetro. This creates a nonsensical meaning in the context of a rate, as money does not have a goal of becoming a kilometer. Always rememberparaimplies an end goal, whereasporsignifies the rate of exchange or distribution. This distinction is critical for logical coherence in Spanish.
- The
Porvs.AConfusion: Whileacan sometimes be associated with prices in Spanish, especially in quick questions or statements about current price points, it is not the standard or universally correct preposition for expressing a rate "per unit" in a descriptive sentence. - Situational
a:¿A cuánto está el pan? Está a dos euros.(How much is the bread? It's two euros.) Here,aindicates the price at which something is currently sold. It's often used in questions and short answers in commercial contexts. - The Mistake:
El avión vuela a novecientos kilómetros la hora.(While occasionally heard informally or regionally, it's not the universally correct rate expression.) - The Correction:
El avión vuela novecientos kilómetros por hora.(Standard and correct for describing speed as a rate.) - Why it's wrong:
Aprimarily means "to" or "at." While it functions for specific price declarations, it lacks the inherent meaning of "per" or "for each unit" thatporpossesses. The English expression "50 miles an hour" or "twice a week" can mislead learners into using Spanisha. However,poris the dedicated preposition for articulating rates across units.
Porvs.Cadafor Frequency: Bothporandcadacan express frequency, but they carry slightly different emphases. Understanding this nuance allows for more precise expression.Cada: Means "each" or "every." It emphasizes the individuality of each unit in a sequence, often implying regularity or an exhaustive list.Voy al gimnasio cada lunes.(I go to the gym each Monday.)Leo una página cada minuto.(I read one page every minute.)Por: Emphasizes the rate or distribution over a general period, quantifying how many occurrences happen within that unit.Voy al gimnasio tres veces por semana.(I go to the gym three times per week.)Leo cincuenta páginas por hora.(I read fifty pages per hour.)- When to choose: When stating a specific number of occurrences within a general time frame (
dos veces por semana),poris ideal. When you want to highlight that something happens with each individual unit (e.g.,cada día,cada persona),cadais often a good alternative or even preferred for emphasis. For simple frequency, they are often interchangeable, butporis indispensable for numerical rates. - Example Comparison:
Leo un libro por mes.(I read one book per month – focuses on the overall rate.)Leo un libro cada mes.(I read one book each month – highlights the routine and each distinct month.)
- Omitting
Poror Articles: While less critical thanporvs.para, omittingporentirely or neglecting articles can sound less natural or even ambiguous. - Mistake:
El coche consume diez litros cien kilómetros.(Missingpor.) - Correction:
El coche consume diez litros por cien kilómetros. - Why it's wrong: Spanish requires the preposition
porto explicitly form the rate. Unlike English, where "per" can sometimes be implied,poris almost always necessary to clearly state the relationship.
Real Conversations
To truly master por for rates, it's vital to see how native speakers integrate it into everyday conversations, from casual chat to more formal interactions. These examples demonstrate the natural, idiomatic use of por in various modern contexts, far removed from rigid textbook phrases.
- Casual Planning (Text message exchange):
- Amigo 1: ¿Cuántas veces puedes ir al gimnasio esta semana? (How many times can you go to the gym this week?)
- Amigo 2: Dos o tres veces, no creo que más. Máximo tres por semana. (Two or three times, I don't think more. Maximum three per week.)
- Observation: The speaker uses tres por semana concisely, a common way to express frequency in informal dialogue.
- Shopping at a local market (Latin America):
- Comprador: Disculpe, ¿a cuánto está el tomate? (Excuse me, how much is the tomato?)
- Vendedor: Diez pesos por kilo, joven. (Ten pesos per kilo, young man/lady.)
- Comprador: ¡Ah, qué bien! Deme dos kilos. (Oh, that's good! Give me two kilos.)
- Observation: The use of diez pesos por kilo is the direct and clear way to state the unit price.
- Discussing a new job (Spain):
- Colega 1: ¿Qué tal el nuevo trabajo? ¿Muchas horas? (How's the new job? Many hours?)
- Colega 2: Bueno, son cuarenta horas por semana, pero la paga es buena. (Well, it's forty hours per week, but the pay is good.)
- Observation: cuarenta horas por semana is a standard way to mention weekly work hours.
- Comparing mobile phone plans (Texting):
- Amiga 1: ¿Qué plan de móvil tienes? Necesito uno nuevo. (What mobile plan do you have? I need a new one.)
- Amiga 2: Tengo uno que me da veinte gigabytes por mes y llamadas ilimitadas. (I have one that gives me twenty gigabytes per month and unlimited calls.)
- Observation: veinte gigabytes por mes is the natural way to describe data allowance in a plan.
- Splitting a dinner bill (Group chat):
- Juan: La cena salió cien euros. ¿Cuántos éramos? (Dinner came out to one hundred euros. How many of us were there?)
- María: Cinco, así que veinte euros por persona. (Five, so twenty euros per person.)
- Observation: veinte euros por persona is the practical phrase for dividing costs equally.
- Reading a news article headline (Online):
- "El precio de la gasolina sube un dos por ciento en el último mes." ("Gasoline price rises by two percent in the last month.")
- Observation: dos por ciento is the standard term for "two percent."
These real-world examples underscore the versatility and necessity of por in communicating essential quantitative information, demonstrating its seamless integration into diverse communicative acts. By imitating these patterns, you can make your Spanish sound more authentic and natural.
Quick FAQ
Can I always use por to express "per" in Spanish?
Yes, in virtually all contexts where "per" indicates a rate, frequency, or exchange (like price per unit, speed, or repetitions per set), por is the correct and standard choice. It's the most versatile preposition for this meaning and provides clarity across all Spanish-speaking regions.
Is por ciento the correct way to say "percent"?
Absolutely. Por ciento literally means "per hundred," which is the direct translation and the correct term for "percent" in Spanish. You'll often see it combined with the definite article, as in el diez por ciento (ten percent), un tres por ciento (a three percent).
What's the difference between por día and al día?
Both mean "per day" or "a day," and are widely understood. They are often interchangeable, especially in informal speech.
Does por change its form based on the gender or number of the noun?
No, por is an invariant preposition. This means it never changes its spelling or form, regardless of whether the noun it precedes is masculine or feminine, singular or plural. It always remains por.
Can I use por for internet speeds or other technical rates?
Yes, absolutely. Por is the standard for technical rates just as it is for everyday ones. You'll hear phrases like megas por segundo (megabytes per second - Mbps), datos por gigabyte (data per gigabyte), pulsaciones por minuto (beats per minute - BPM), or revoluciones por minuto (revolutions per minute - RPM). It is the universal choice for expressing technical throughput.
When splitting a bill at a restaurant, should I say por persona?
Yes, por persona is the most common and natural way to express "per person" when dividing costs, especially in social settings. It directly translates to "per person" and is universally understood.
What if I see a used with prices, like a dos euros?
While a can be used informally, especially when asking or stating the immediate price of something (¿A cuánto está? Está a dos euros.), por is the definitive choice for specifying a rate "per unit" in a descriptive sentence. Por is grammatically more robust for expressing the concept of "per" in rates because it explicitly establishes the quantitative relationship. It's best to stick with por for explicit rates to avoid confusion and ensure wider applicability, especially as a beginner. While a states the price point, por defines the rate of exchange or distribution for that unit.
Rate Expression Formula
| Quantity | Preposition | Unit | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dos
|
por
|
kilo
|
Dos por kilo
|
|
Cien
|
por
|
hora
|
Cien por hora
|
|
Tres
|
por
|
semana
|
Tres por semana
|
|
Cinco
|
por
|
persona
|
Cinco por persona
|
|
Diez
|
por
|
día
|
Diez por día
|
|
Veinte
|
por
|
minuto
|
Veinte por minuto
|
Meanings
The preposition 'por' is used to indicate a rate, ratio, or exchange value, functioning as the English 'per'.
Price per unit
Indicates the cost of a single item or weight.
“Cuesta cinco euros por kilo.”
“Vendo las manzanas a dos dólares por bolsa.”
Frequency
Indicates how often something happens in a time period.
“Voy al gimnasio tres veces por semana.”
“Tomo café dos veces por día.”
Speed/Rate
Indicates velocity or movement relative to time.
“El tren viaja a 200 kilómetros por hora.”
“Escribo a 50 palabras por minuto.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Quantity + por + Unit
|
Cuesta 5 euros por kilo.
|
|
Negative
|
No + Verb + Quantity + por + Unit
|
No pago 5 euros por kilo.
|
|
Question
|
¿Cuánto + Verb + por + Unit?
|
¿Cuánto pagas por kilo?
|
|
Frequency
|
Frequency + por + Time
|
Voy 3 veces por semana.
|
|
Speed
|
Speed + por + Time
|
Va a 100 km por hora.
|
|
Price
|
Price + por + Unit
|
Es 2 dólares por unidad.
|
Formality Spectrum
El precio es de cinco dólares por kilo. (Market)
Cuesta cinco dólares por kilo. (Market)
Son cinco dólares por kilo. (Market)
A cinco el kilo. (Market)
Uses of Por for Rates
Price
- por kilo per kilo
Time
- por hora per hour
Frequency
- por semana per week
Por vs Para
Examples by Level
Dos euros por kilo.
Two euros per kilo.
100 kilómetros por hora.
100 kilometers per hour.
Dos veces por semana.
Two times per week.
Cinco dólares por persona.
Five dollars per person.
El tren va a 200 kilómetros por hora.
The train goes at 200 km/h.
Compro fruta tres veces por semana.
I buy fruit three times per week.
Pagué diez euros por cada entrada.
I paid ten euros per ticket.
Escribo 40 palabras por minuto.
I write 40 words per minute.
El consumo de energía es de 50 vatios por hora.
Energy consumption is 50 watts per hour.
La tasa de interés es del 5 por ciento por año.
The interest rate is 5 percent per year.
El precio por unidad ha subido.
The price per unit has risen.
Debemos tomar el medicamento dos veces por día.
We must take the medicine twice per day.
La velocidad media es de 80 kilómetros por hora.
The average speed is 80 km/h.
El costo por habitante es muy elevado.
The cost per inhabitant is very high.
Se producen 1000 unidades por turno.
1000 units are produced per shift.
La frecuencia de los buses es de uno por hora.
The bus frequency is one per hour.
El rendimiento se calcula por hectárea cultivada.
Yield is calculated per cultivated hectare.
La densidad poblacional es de 500 personas por kilómetro cuadrado.
Population density is 500 people per square kilometer.
El margen de beneficio por venta es mínimo.
The profit margin per sale is minimal.
La dosis recomendada es de 5mg por kilo de peso.
The recommended dose is 5mg per kilo of weight.
La tasa de natalidad se mide por cada mil habitantes.
The birth rate is measured per thousand inhabitants.
La emisión de carbono por habitante es preocupante.
Carbon emission per inhabitant is worrying.
El canon por uso de suelo ha sido ajustado.
The fee per land use has been adjusted.
La frecuencia de oscilación es de 60 ciclos por segundo.
The oscillation frequency is 60 cycles per second.
Easily Confused
Both are prepositions that translate to 'for'.
Both can mean 'each'.
Both can indicate price.
Common Mistakes
Cuesta 5 euros para kilo.
Cuesta 5 euros por kilo.
Cuesta 5 euros por el kilo.
Cuesta 5 euros por kilo.
Cuesta 5 euros cada kilo.
Cuesta 5 euros por kilo.
Cuesta 5 euros a kilo.
Cuesta 5 euros por kilo.
Voy al cine para dos veces por semana.
Voy al cine dos veces por semana.
La velocidad es 80 km por la hora.
La velocidad es 80 km por hora.
Pago 5 dólares por cada persona.
Pago 5 dólares por persona.
El precio es por el mes.
El precio es por mes.
Lo hago para ganar dinero por hora.
Lo hago para ganar dinero por hora.
Es 50 por ciento por año.
Es 50 por ciento anual.
La tasa es por cada habitante.
La tasa es por habitante.
El costo es por la unidad.
El costo es por unidad.
Es 100 por el minuto.
Es 100 por minuto.
Sentence Patterns
Cuesta ___ por ___.
Voy ___ veces por ___.
Viajo a ___ km por ___.
Gano ___ dólares por ___.
Real World Usage
Dos euros por kilo.
100 km por hora.
20 dólares por hora.
3 veces por semana.
2 pastillas por día.
5 euros por persona.
Keep it simple
Avoid Para
Use it everywhere
Regional variation
Smart Tips
Always link the price to the unit with 'por'.
Use 'por' for the time unit.
Use 'por' for the time period.
Use 'por' for the hourly rate.
Pronunciation
Por
The 'r' is a soft tap.
Statement
Cuesta 5 euros por kilo ↘
Neutral information.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Por' as a 'Price-Or-Rate' tag.
Visual Association
Imagine a scale (balance) with money on one side and items on the other. The pivot point in the middle is the word 'POR'.
Rhyme
When you want to say 'per', use 'por' and don't defer.
Story
Maria goes to the market. She asks for apples. The seller says 'Two euros per kilo'. Maria says 'I will take two kilos'. She pays four euros total.
Word Web
Challenge
Go to a Spanish grocery website and list 5 items with their prices using 'por'.
Cultural Notes
In Spain, you will hear 'por kilo' at every market.
In Mexico, 'por' is used for rates, but 'a' is sometimes heard in informal speech.
Similar to Spain, 'por' is standard.
From Latin 'per'.
Conversation Starters
¿Cuántas veces por semana haces ejercicio?
¿A qué velocidad vas en la autopista?
¿Cuánto cuesta el café por taza?
¿Cuántas palabras por minuto escribes?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Cuesta 5 euros ___ kilo.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Cuesta 5 euros para kilo.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Two times per week.
Answer starts with: Dos...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Use: 10, dólares, por, hora.
Voy al gimnasio ___ semana.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesCuesta 5 euros ___ kilo.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Cuesta 5 euros para kilo.
kilo / por / euros / 5 / Cuesta
Two times per week.
100 km/h
Use: 10, dólares, por, hora.
Voy al gimnasio ___ semana.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesPublico en Instagram dos veces ___ mes.
El ochenta ___ ciento de la clase aprobó.
Choose the correct rate expression:
Hablo por teléfono una vez para semana.
The hotel costs 100 euros per night.
hora / Escribo / dos / por / correos
Son diez euros ___ persona.
The download is 50 megs per second.
Five percent
Camino cinco kilómetros para hora.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, 'para' is for purpose. Use 'por'.
No, keep it simple: 'por kilo'.
Yes, it is standard everywhere.
Use 'cada', but 'por' is better for rates.
Yes, 'km por hora'.
It is a preposition, it has no gender.
Only in very informal regional speech.
Use it when shopping or talking about your routine.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
par
None.
pro
German is more formal.
ni tsuki
Word order.
li-kull
Structure.
mei
Positioning.
per
None.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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