Using Por for Means: By Phone, By Plane (Por para medios)
por to describe the tool, medium, or channel you use to communicate or travel.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'por' to describe the medium or channel through which you travel or communicate.
- Use 'por' for transport: Viajo por avión (I travel by plane).
- Use 'por' for communication: Hablamos por teléfono (We speak by phone).
- No article is strictly required after 'por' when referring to the general means.
Overview
Mastering Spanish prepositions like por is crucial for expressing nuanced meaning. This guide focuses on por when it indicates the means, method, or channel through which an action occurs. Think of it as conveying 'by way of,' 'via,' 'through,' or 'by means of' in English.
It establishes the intermediary or conduit that enables an action, whether physical or conceptual.
This specific use of por is fundamental for discussing transportation, communication, and the transmission of information or resources. Understanding this pattern allows you to articulate precisely how you travel, how messages are sent, or how things are distributed. It contrasts distinctly with para, which typically denotes purpose or destination, and en, which usually signifies location.
Here, por emphasizes the dynamic process and the specific medium used.
For learners at the A2 CEFR level, distinguishing this function of por lays the groundwork for more complex sentence structures. It provides the precision needed to move beyond basic statements, enabling you to participate in richer, more detailed Spanish conversations about daily life and logistical arrangements.
How This Grammar Works
por in this context is to identify the intervening element that facilitates an action. It creates a connection between the verb (the action performed) and the noun (the means, instrument, or channel employed). This usage often implies a form of transfer or passage, which can be tangible, like physical movement, or abstract, such as the flow of information.Hablamos por teléfono. Here, el teléfono is not the direct object of the verb hablamos; instead, it functions as the channel through which the conversation takes place. The phone is the conduit for your voice, not what is being spoken.Viajo por avión, the airplane is the method of your travel, the means by which you move from one place to another. It’s the how of the journey.con (with), which generally indicates accompaniment or the direct use of a physical tool. For example, escribir con un bolígrafo (to write with a pen) uses con because the pen is the direct instrument. Por, in contrast, implies a broader medium or process, focusing on the system or pathway, rather than a direct handheld tool.¿Cómo se hizo? (How was it done?).Te envié el documento por correo electrónico.(I sent you the document by email.) The email system is the means of transmission.El paquete llegó por mensajería.(The package arrived by courier service.) The courier service is the method of delivery.Descubrimos la ciudad por autobús turístico.(We discovered the city by tourist bus.) The bus is the chosen mode of exploration.
Formation Pattern
por to express means is generally straightforward. The preposition por is placed directly before the noun that specifies the method, medium, or instrument. A key aspect for learners is understanding when to use the definite article (el, la, los, las) with the noun following por.
Comunicar | por | teléfono | To communicate by phone |
Viajar | por | tren | To travel by train |
Enviar | por | correo | To send by mail |
Contactar | por | WhatsApp | To contact via WhatsApp |
por + Means:
Hablo por teléfono con mi madre cada día. (I speak by phone with my mother every day.) Refers to the general act of using a phone.
Vamos a viajar por avión para ahorrar tiempo. (We are going to travel by plane to save time.) Indicates plane travel as the chosen method.
Lo leí por internet esta mañana. (I read it on the internet this morning.) Refers to the general medium of the internet.
Lo envié por la nueva empresa de paquetería. (I sent it via the new parcel company.) Here, la nueva empresa de paquetería specifies a particular company.
Escuché el concierto por la radio local. (I heard the concert on the local radio.) La radio local specifies which radio station.
Llegué a casa por el último autobús. (I arrived home via the last bus.) El último autobús refers to a specific bus at a specific time.
por internet is very common, some regions, particularly in Spain, might use por la internet or even en internet. However, por internet (without article) is globally understood and prevalent in Latin America.
por teléfono | por el teléfono de la oficina |
por correo | por el correo certificado |
por televisión | por la televisión autonómica |
por coche | por el coche que alquilamos |
por barco | por el barco que sale a las ocho |
When To Use It
por to express means is extensive, providing a primary way to answer ¿Cómo? (How?) an action is performed, particularly regarding methods of transit, communication, and transmission. It covers a broad spectrum of scenarios where you need to specify the conduit.- 1Means of Transportation: This is one of the most fundamental and frequently encountered uses.
Porspecifies the mode or vehicle used for travel, emphasizing the method of transit rather than just the physical location.
Siempre viajo a la capital por tren.(I always travel to the capital by train.) This highlights the chosen mode of travel for regularity.Los turistas llegaron por avión esta mañana desde Buenos Aires.(The tourists arrived by plane this morning from Buenos Aires.) The plane is the means of their long-distance arrival.Entregaron el pedido por bicicleta porque es más rápido en la ciudad.(They delivered the order by bicycle because it's faster in the city.) The bicycle is the efficient delivery method.
por is common for vehicular transport, certain traditional or direct modes of movement use a or are fixed idiomatic phrases. These are not means via a vehicle, but rather the direct method of movement.Ir a pie(to go on foot):¿Quieres ir a pie o tomar un taxi?(Do you want to go on foot or take a taxi?)Ir a caballo(to go by horse):Recorrieron las ruinas a caballo.(They explored the ruins by horse.)Ir a nado(to go by swimming):Cruzó el río a nado.(He crossed the river by swimming.)
- 1Means of Communication: In our interconnected world, this category is indispensable.
Poridentifies the channel, platform, or system through which messages, information, or content are transmitted and received.
Nos contactaremos por videollamada para la reunión del equipo.(We will contact each other by video call for the team meeting.) Video call is the chosen communication channel.La noticia se difundió rápidamente por redes sociales.(The news spread quickly via social media.) Social media platforms are the channels for dissemination.Envíame el presupuesto por correo electrónico, por favor, antes del mediodía.(Send me the quote by email, please, before noon.) Email is the preferred method for sending documents.Hablé con el servicio al cliente por chat en línea.(I spoke with customer service via online chat.) Online chat is the medium of interaction.
- 1Means of Transmission or Distribution: This applies to how various elements, whether tangible (like goods) or abstract (like signals), move or are distributed through a system or process. It highlights the conduit for flow.
El agua potable se distribuye por tuberías a todos los hogares.(Drinking water is distributed through pipes to all homes.) Pipes are the conduits for water delivery.El programa de radio se emite por onda corta a regiones remotas.(The radio program is broadcast by shortwave to remote regions.) Shortwave is the transmission medium.La electricidad llega a la ciudad por cables de alta tensión.(Electricity reaches the city via high-voltage cables.) Cables are the means of power transmission.Accedemos a los recursos de la universidad por la intranet.(We access the university's resources via the intranet.) The intranet is the internal network channel.
- 1Means of Payment (Specific Contexts): While
conis often used for generic payment methods (pagar con tarjeta),porcan be employed to emphasize the method or channel of the transaction, especially when it involves a system or a transfer process.
Pagué la matrícula por transferencia bancaria.(I paid the tuition by bank transfer.)Transferencia bancariais the financial channel/method.Se puede pagar la suscripción por domiciliación bancaria.(You can pay the subscription by direct debit.) Direct debit is the automated payment method.
por enables you to articulate the practicalities of how tasks are accomplished, adding necessary detail and clarity to your Spanish expressions across various contexts.Common Mistakes
por for means by confusing it with other prepositions, primarily en and a, or by not grasping idiomatic expressions. Distinguishing these nuances is essential for accurate and natural-sounding Spanish.- 1
Porvs.Enfor Transportation (The Big One): This is perhaps the most common source of confusion. Both can refer to vehicles, but their core meanings and emphasis differ significantly.
En(Location/State):Enprimarily expresses being physically inside or on a vehicle, indicating a temporary location or state. It answers¿Dónde (estás)?(Where (are you)?).Estoy en el coche ahora, llego en cinco minutos.(I am in the car right now, I'll arrive in five minutes.) – Focuses on your current physical presence inside the vehicle.¿Ya estás en el tren hacia Madrid?(Are you already on the train to Madrid?) – Inquires about your location within the train.Por(Means/Method):Poremphasizes the vehicle as the method or channel of movement, or the chosen way to travel. It answers¿Cómo (vas/viajas)?(How (are you going/traveling)?).Preferimos ir a la playa por coche porque llevamos mucho equipaje.(We prefer to go to the beach by car because we are carrying a lot of luggage.) – Highlights the choice of method for the journey.Vamos a viajar a Sevilla por tren porque es más cómodo.(We are going to travel to Seville by train because it's more comfortable.) – Specifies the mode of transport as the means of reaching the destination.
- In many general contexts,
viajar por trenandviajar en trenare interchangeable, especially when the emphasis on method vs. location is subtle. However,pormore explicitly highlights the choice of modality.Viajar por trenfocuses on how you travel;viajar en trensimply states the action happens on a train. When the vehicle itself is the means,poris often preferred. - When you want to emphasize being inside or on the vehicle,
enis correct. E.g.,Estábamos en el autobús cuando empezó a llover.(We were on the bus when it started to rain.) - You cannot say
Estoy por cocheto meanI am in the car. That would be a significant error.Por cocheonly works when describing the method of travel (ir por coche).
- 1
Porvs.Afor Specific Movement: Remember the fixed expressionsa pie,a caballo, anda nado. Usingporwith these is incorrect. They represent direct methods of movement, not transit via a vehicle or channel.
- Incorrect:
Voy por pie al trabajo. - Correct:
Voy a pie al trabajo.(I walk to work/go to work on foot.)
- 1
Porvs.Confor Instruments: Whileporindicates a medium or channel,consignifies a direct instrument or accompaniment. Don't confuse the two.
Escribo con el teclado.(I write with the keyboard.)Conis used because the keyboard is a direct tool.- Incorrect:
Hablo por el micrófono.(Unless you mean 'through the system via the microphone as a component of it'). - Correct:
Hablo por teléfono.(I speak via the phone system.) The phone is the channel.
- 1Omitting Articles Incorrectly: While many common
porphrases omit the article, remember to include it for specificity, especially when the noun is modified.
- Incorrect:
Lo vimos por televisión local. - Correct:
Lo vimos por la televisión local.(We saw it on local television.)Localmodifiestelevisión, requiring the article.
por accurately.Real Conversations
Understanding por for means in everyday Spanish is crucial for sounding natural. Native speakers use these constructions constantly, whether discussing plans, sharing news, or making arrangements. Here’s how you'll encounter it in modern contexts, from casual chats to work emails.
1. Daily Logistics & Planning (Informal/Formal):
- Oye, ¿cómo vas a llegar al evento? Yo voy por metro. (Hey, how are you getting to the event? I'm going by subway.)
- El reporte final lo enviamos por correo interno hoy mismo. (We're sending the final report via internal mail today.)
- ¿Nos hablamos más tarde por Facetime? (Shall we talk later via Facetime?)
2. Receiving and Giving Information (Casual/Semi-formal):
- Me enteré de la noticia por Facebook. (I found out about the news via Facebook.)
- ¿Viste el partido por la tele ayer? ¡Fue increíble! (Did you watch the game on TV yesterday? It was incredible!)
- La información adicional te la mando por WhatsApp. (I'll send you the additional information via WhatsApp.)
3. Explaining Processes & Systems (Formal/Professional):
- La empresa distribuye sus productos por una red de socios locales. (The company distributes its products via a network of local partners.)
- Todos los pagos se procesan por una plataforma segura en línea. (All payments are processed through a secure online platform.)
- La señal llega a todas las antenas por fibra óptica. (The signal reaches all antennas via fiber optics.)
4. Cultural Insight: In Latin America, especially in younger generations, it's increasingly common to hear por + [app name] for communication, e.g., por Zoom, por Instagram, por Telegram. This highlights how the digital age has expanded the concept of
Structure of Means
| Preposition | Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
por
|
avión
|
Viajo por avión
|
|
por
|
teléfono
|
Hablo por teléfono
|
|
por
|
tren
|
Voy por tren
|
|
por
|
correo
|
Envío por correo
|
|
por
|
internet
|
Navego por internet
|
|
por
|
barco
|
Llegamos por barco
|
Meanings
The preposition 'por' is used to indicate the medium, channel, or instrument through which an action is performed, specifically for travel and communication.
Transportation
Indicates the vehicle used for travel.
“Viajamos por tren.”
“Fui por avión a Madrid.”
Communication
Indicates the device or channel used for contact.
“Hablamos por Skype.”
“Te envié un mensaje por WhatsApp.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Sujeto + verbo + por + medio
|
Voy por avión.
|
|
Negative
|
Sujeto + no + verbo + por + medio
|
No voy por avión.
|
|
Question
|
¿Verbo + por + medio?
|
¿Vas por avión?
|
|
Communication
|
Verbo + por + medio
|
Llamo por teléfono.
|
|
Transport
|
Verbo + por + medio
|
Viajo por tren.
|
|
Digital
|
Verbo + por + medio
|
Escribo por email.
|
Formality Spectrum
Viajo por vía aérea. (Travel)
Viajo por avión. (Travel)
Me voy en avión. (Travel)
Me voy volando. (Travel)
The Por Channel
Transport
- avión plane
- tren train
Communication
- teléfono phone
- email email
Examples by Level
Voy por avión.
I go by plane.
Hablo por teléfono.
I speak by phone.
Viajo por tren.
I travel by train.
Es por internet.
It is by internet.
¿Vas por coche o por autobús?
Are you going by car or by bus?
Te llamo por WhatsApp.
I'll call you by WhatsApp.
Lo vi por televisión.
I saw it on TV.
Enviamos el paquete por correo.
We sent the package by mail.
Prefiero viajar por barco para ver el mar.
I prefer to travel by boat to see the sea.
Podemos discutir el tema por Zoom.
We can discuss the topic by Zoom.
La información llegó por radio.
The information arrived by radio.
Me contactaron por redes sociales.
They contacted me by social media.
Es más rápido ir por metro en esta ciudad.
It is faster to go by subway in this city.
La comunicación por satélite es esencial.
Satellite communication is essential.
Recibí la confirmación por correo electrónico.
I received the confirmation by email.
Viajar por carretera permite ver más paisajes.
Traveling by road allows seeing more landscapes.
La transmisión por fibra óptica es muy veloz.
Fiber optic transmission is very fast.
Se comunicaron por clave morse durante la guerra.
They communicated by Morse code during the war.
El transporte por tubería es eficiente para el gas.
Pipeline transport is efficient for gas.
La noticia se difundió por todos los medios.
The news spread through all media.
La navegación por instrumentos es crucial en condiciones adversas.
Instrument navigation is crucial in adverse conditions.
El comercio por vía marítima ha sido fundamental históricamente.
Maritime trade has been fundamental historically.
La comunicación por telepatía es un tropo literario común.
Telepathic communication is a common literary trope.
Se gestionaron los trámites por conducto oficial.
The procedures were managed through official channels.
Easily Confused
Learners mix them up for transport.
Learners use 'con' for 'by means of'.
They are both common prepositions.
Common Mistakes
Voy en avión
Voy por avión
Hablo con teléfono
Hablo por teléfono
Viajo por el tren
Viajo por tren
Envío por el correo
Envío por correo
Voy por el coche
Voy por coche
Llamo en Skype
Llamo por Skype
Viajo con barco
Viajo por barco
La noticia es por la radio
La noticia es por radio
Hablamos en Zoom
Hablamos por Zoom
Viajo por el avión
Viajo por avión
La comunicación es por medio de el teléfono
La comunicación es por teléfono
El transporte por el mar
El transporte por mar
Lo vi en la televisión
Lo vi por televisión
Sentence Patterns
Yo viajo por ___.
Te llamo por ___.
La información llegó por ___.
Es mejor enviar el paquete por ___.
Real World Usage
Viajo por avión a México.
Te escribo por WhatsApp.
La entrevista es por Zoom.
Pedí la comida por la app.
Lo escuché por la radio.
El envío es por correo.
Omit the article
Don't use 'con'
Digital channels
Regional terms
Smart Tips
Always use 'por'. Never 'con'.
Think 'channel'. If it's the channel, use 'por'.
Apps are channels. Use 'por'.
Use 'por' to specify the medium of contact.
Pronunciation
Por
The 'r' is a soft tap, not a trill.
Statement
Viajo por tren. ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Question
¿Vas por tren? ↗
Rising intonation for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'por' as a tunnel. Your message or body goes THROUGH the tunnel of the phone or plane.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant letter 'P' shaped like a tunnel. A train is driving through the hole of the 'P'.
Rhyme
For the way you go or the way you call, use 'por' to connect it all.
Story
Maria wanted to travel. She chose to go by plane (por avión). Once she landed, she called her mom by phone (por teléfono) to say she arrived safely.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about how you travel and communicate using 'por' in the next 5 minutes.
Cultural Notes
In Spain, 'móvil' is used for phone, so 'por el móvil' is very common.
In Mexico, 'celular' is the standard term.
They often use 'por' for transport, but 'en' is also very frequent in daily speech.
Comes from the Latin 'per', meaning 'through'.
Conversation Starters
¿Cómo viajas normalmente?
¿Prefieres hablar por teléfono o por mensaje?
¿Cómo te comunicas con tu familia?
¿Crees que el transporte por avión es el mejor?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Viajo ___ avión.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Voy por el tren.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I travel by boat.
Answer starts with: Via...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Use: nosotros, viajar, por, tren
La información llegó ___ radio.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesViajo ___ avión.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Voy por el tren.
teléfono / por / llamo / te
I travel by boat.
Match: avión, teléfono, correo
Use: nosotros, viajar, por, tren
La información llegó ___ radio.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesI sent the link by email.
teléfono / Hablamos / por / mañana / .
Match the pairs:
Pido comida ___ la aplicación.
La información viaja ___ internet.
Hablamos para teléfono.
They travel by plane.
por / Escucho / radio / la / música / .
Match the communication channel:
Select the exception:
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, for physical transport, 'en' is common. But for communication, 'por' is mandatory.
Generally, yes. 'Por avión' is standard. Adding an article can sound redundant.
No, we usually say 'a pie'.
Yes, 'por internet' is the standard way to say 'by internet'.
Using 'con' implies you are holding the phone as a companion, not using it as a channel.
No, 'por' remains the same regardless of the noun's number.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
That is a different use of 'por' (agent of action).
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
by
English uses 'on' for some digital platforms (on Zoom), whereas Spanish always uses 'por'.
par
French has more specific idiomatic uses for 'par' in passive voice.
mit
German focuses on accompaniment (with) rather than the channel (through).
de
Japanese particles follow the noun, whereas Spanish prepositions precede it.
bi
Arabic uses a prefix attached to the word, not a standalone preposition.
用 (yòng)
Chinese uses a verb-based structure rather than a prepositional one.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
The Preposition 'Para': For, To, and In Order To
Overview The Spanish preposition `para` is essential for expressing **purpose**, **destination**, **recipient**, and **d...
Structuring Arguments: However & Therefore (sin embargo, por lo tanto)
Overview Discourse markers are the linguistic scaffolding that gives structure and coherence to speech and writing. They...
Moving Towards (hacia): Direction and Time
Overview In Spanish, the preposition `hacia` serves as a crucial tool for conveying **direction, approximation, and orie...
Por vs Para: The Ultimate Guide
Overview Mastering `por` and `para` is one of the most significant challenges in Spanish, often causing confusion becaus...
Spanish Prices & Exchanges (Por)
Overview `Por` is one of the most versatile and often perplexing prepositions in Spanish, a cornerstone for B1 learners...
