Saying 'Per' or 'By': Rates with Por (por dia, pelo quilo)
Por is your universal tool for expressing rates, frequencies (por dia), and exchanges (pelo jantar).
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'por' (or its contractions 'pelo/pela') to express rates, prices per unit, or frequency.
- Use 'por' for prices per unit: 'Custa 5 reais por quilo'.
- Use 'pelo/pela' for frequency per time period: 'Trabalho pelo dia'.
- Use 'por' for speed or rate: 'Dirijo a 80km por hora'.
Overview
When navigating the quantitative landscape of Portuguese, from stating frequencies to delineating pricing structures, you will invariably encounter the preposition por. Unlike English, which employs a varied lexicon—'per,' 'a,' 'for,' 'by'—to express relationships of rate, frequency, distribution, and measurement, Portuguese largely consolidates these functions under the singular, highly versatile por. This consistency simplifies expression, making por an indispensable tool for learners at the B1 level and beyond.
At its core, por in this context functions as a marker of proportionality or unit reference. It defines the standard by which something is measured, distributed, or exchanged. Whether you are quantifying the recurrence of an event, specifying the unit cost of a commodity, or describing the velocity of movement, por establishes the fundamental ratio or division.
Understanding this underlying principle is key to mastering its application, moving beyond rote memorization to a more intuitive grasp of the language.
This robust connector is not merely a linguistic convenience; it reflects a logical, consistent approach to expressing quantifiable relationships. Its usage spans formal contexts, such as scientific measurements and financial reports, to everyday interactions like grocery shopping or discussing workout routines. Recognizing por as the primary relational operator for rates will significantly enhance your ability to articulate complex quantitative ideas with precision.
How This Grammar Works
por in the context of rates, envision it as establishing an equivalence or ratio between two elements. Linguistically, por acts as a divisor, indicating the unit against which a quantity, action, or value is measured. It answers the implicit question: "in relation to what unit?" or "for every what?`"três vezes por semana (three times per week). Here, por semana defines the unit of measurement for the frequency. The 'three times' is understood in direct proportion to 'one week.' Similarly, dez euros por quilo (ten euros per kilo) sets the kilo as the unit of reference for the price.por's function. It connects a quantity/action to a specific unit or reference point, forming a clear, quantifiable relationship. This principle is consistent across all its rate-related applications, from time-based frequencies to physical measurements and monetary exchanges.por's usage is therefore rooted in this fundamental concept of defining a unit of measure or exchange.o, a, os, as) alongside por is crucial and reflects the specificity of the unit being referenced. When por refers to a general, abstract unit (e.g., day, hour, kilo), no article is used. However, when the unit is a specific, identified noun involved in a particular exchange or distribution, por contracts with the definite article to form pelo, pela, pelos, pelas.100 quilómetros por hora uses por hora because hora (hour) refers to the abstract concept of an hour as a unit of time measurement. In contrast, Paguei dez euros pelo almoço (I paid ten euros for the lunch) uses pelo because o almoço (the lunch) refers to a specific, identifiable meal. This subtle yet significant difference in specificity governs the grammatical formation and is a key indicator of native-like proficiency.Formation Pattern
por in rate expressions follows a clear and logical structure, with a critical distinction based on the specificity of the noun it modifies. Understanding these patterns is essential for correct usage.
por + [Noun/Unit (without article)]
por + dia → por dia (per day)
por + pessoa → por pessoa (per person)
por + semana → por semana (per week)
Faço exercício duas vezes por semana. (I exercise twice per week.)
O preço é dez euros por quilo. (The price is ten euros per kilo.)
Cada ingresso custa quinze dólares por pessoa. (Each ticket costs fifteen dollars per person.)
por + [Definite Article] + [Specific Noun]
por is followed by a definite article (o, a, os, as), they combine to form mandatory contractions. This occurs when the noun representing the unit or item in the exchange is specific or defined by the article.
por + Article (Masc. Sing.) | por + Article (Fem. Sing.) | por + Article (Masc. Plur.) | por + Article (Fem. Plur.) |
o/a/os/as | pelo | pela | pelos | pelas |
pelo (por + o): Paguei a conta pelo cartão de crédito. (I paid the bill by the credit card.) – Here, cartão is specific because it’s o cartão de crédito. (though por cartão is also common for by card)
pela (por + a): Ele foi reconhecido pela voz. (He was recognized by the voice.) – Referring to a specific, identifiable voice.
pelos (por + os): Andámos pelos campos até à aldeia. (We walked through the fields to the village.) – The fields are specific ones. (Though this example is more about path than rate, it illustrates the contraction for specificity)
pelas (por + as): Dividimos o bolo pelas crianças. (We divided the cake among the children.) – The children are a specific group.
por hora refers to per hour generally, pela hora could imply for that specific hour or by means of the hour (less common for rates). The choice hinges entirely on whether the noun is definite or indefinite in the context of the rate.
When To Use It
por in conveying rates and related concepts is broad, encompassing several key scenarios:Por is used to specify how often an action or event occurs within a given unit of time. This is its most direct translation of the English "per" or "a" in phrases like "twice a week."Faço ioga três vezes por semana.(I do yoga three times per week.)O jornal é publicado uma vez por dia.(The newspaper is published once per day.)Ganho trinta euros por hora como explicador.(I earn thirty euros per hour as a tutor.)
por establishes a unit of measurement for speed, price, concentration, or other quantifiable metrics.- Speed:
O carro atingiu 120 quilómetros por hora.(The car reached 120 kilometers per hour.) - Price per Unit:
As laranjas custam dois euros por quilo.(The oranges cost two euros per kilo.) - Concentration:
Este medicamento contém 5 miligramas de substância ativa por comprimido.(This medicine contains 5 milligrams of active substance per tablet.) - Percentage:
A taxa de juros é de 3 por cento ao ano.(The interest rate is 3 per cent per year.) –Por centoliterally translates to "per hundred," clearly illustrating the proportional nature.
Por indicates how something is divided or allocated among a group or by individual units. It describes a one-to-one or one-to-many distribution.Distribuímos um folheto por aluno.(We distributed one leaflet per student.)O trabalho foi dividido em dez tarefas, uma por membro da equipa.(The work was divided into ten tasks, one per team member.)As notas foram publicadas turma por turma.(The grades were published class by class.)
por (often contracted to pelo/pela) signifies the item being acquired or given in return.Paguei cinquenta euros pelo jantar no restaurante.(I paid fifty euros for the dinner at the restaurant.) – Specific dinner.Troquei o meu carro velho pelo novo.(I exchanged my old car for the new one.) – Specific new car.Vendi o meu portátil pela internet.(I sold my laptop via the internet.) – The internet as a specific medium of exchange.
o jantar, o novo, a internet) necessitates the contraction, highlighting that you are referring to a concrete entity rather than an abstract unit.Common Mistakes
por in rate expressions due to interference from their native language or a misunderstanding of its fundamental role as a proportional marker. Recognizing these pitfalls is crucial for advancing your proficiency.Para Trap: Confusing Purpose with Exchangepara for por. While both can translate to "for" in English, their functions in Portuguese are distinct. Para indicates purpose, destination, or recipient, looking forward to a goal. Por, in this context, signifies exchange, cause, or the unit of measure, looking at what is given or the standard of reference.Por | Para |- Incorrect:
Paguei vinte euros para o almoço.(Implies you paid twenty euros to the lunch as a gift or offering). - Correct:
Paguei vinte euros pelo almoço.(I paid twenty euros for the lunch – as an exchange for a specific meal).
Este presente é para você (This present is for you) correctly uses para to indicate the recipient. Using por here would imply you're exchanging something for the person, which is nonsensical.pelo/pela versus the simple por is another common error. This typically stems from a failure to grasp the distinction between general, abstract units and specific, articulated nouns.- Incorrect (Over-contracting):
100 quilómetros pela hora. - Reason:
Horain this context is an abstract unit of time for measuring speed, not a specific, identifiable hour. Therefore, no article is needed. - Correct:
100 quilómetros por hora.(100 kilometers per hour.)
- Incorrect (Under-contracting):
Paguei dez euros por o livro. - Reason:
O livrois a specific book.Pormust contract witho. - Correct:
Paguei dez euros pelo livro.(I paid ten euros for the book.)
dia, semana, quilo) or a specific, defined item (o almoço, a camisa, os carros)? This will guide your choice.A Confusion: State vs. Unit Ratea to express rates, particularly for current speeds or prices, which can confuse learners. The key difference lies in whether you're describing a state or defining a unit rate.A: Indicates a current state or level, often translatable as "at."As laranjas estão a dois euros o quilo.(The oranges are at two euros per kilo.) – This describes the current market price level.O carro vai a 120 km/h.(The car is going at 120 km/h.) – This describes the current speed.Por: Defines the unit rate itself, focusing on the proportionality "per unit."O preço é dois euros por quilo.(The price is two euros per kilo.) – This defines the standard unit pricing.A velocidade máxima permitida é 120 km por hora.(The maximum allowed speed is 120 km per hour.) – This defines the speed limit as a unit rate.
a describes the current status, whereas por establishes the rule or definition of the unit. You can be a 120 km/h (at 120 km/h), but the unit of measurement is 120 km por hora (per hour).por (exchange) or para (purpose). English "by" can be por (means/agent) or other prepositions depending on context. Always revert to the underlying Portuguese logic of proportionality and unit reference for por in rate contexts.Real Conversations
Understanding por in theory is one thing; observing its natural integration into everyday Portuguese communication is another. Here’s how you'll encounter it in modern, authentic contexts, reflecting its prevalence across various registers.
1. Daily Transactions and Shopping:
In markets, shops, and restaurants, por is fundamental for discussing prices and quantities. Its brevity makes it ideal for quick, efficient communication.
- At the market: Quanto custa este peixe por quilo? (How much does this fish cost per kilo?)
- In a café: O menu do dia custa dez euros por pessoa. (The daily menu costs ten euros per person.)
- Grocery store promotion: Promoção: leve dois, pague um. Ou seja, um grátis por cada dois. (Promotion: buy two, get one free. That is, one free for every two.)
2. Scheduling and Routine Discussions:
When talking about habits, frequencies, or recurring events, por is the go-to preposition.
- Workout routine: Vou ao ginásio cinco vezes por semana. (I go to the gym five times per week.)
- Medication instructions: Tome um comprimido duas vezes por dia. (Take one tablet twice per day.)
- Work schedule: Trabalho oito horas por dia, de segunda a sexta. (I work eight hours per day, Monday to Friday.)
3. Social Media and Texting:
While often abbreviated, the concept of por remains implicitly or explicitly present, especially when discussing costs or distributions.
- Jantar a 20€/pax este fim de semana! (Dinner at 20€/person this weekend!) – pax is a common abbreviation for pessoas, implying por pessoa.
- Viagem a Lisboa 100€ por cabeça. (Trip to Lisbon 100€ per head.) – Por cabeça is a colloquial way to say per person.
- Netflix? 30€ por ano, vale a pena! (Netflix? 30€ per year, worth it!) – Implies por ano.
4. Professional and Academic Contexts:
In more formal settings, por maintains its precision for scientific data, financial reporting, and project management.
- A empresa registou um crescimento de 5% por ano nos últimos cinco anos. (The company registered a growth of 5% per year in the last five years.)
- A análise de dados é feita célula por célula para maior precisão. (Data analysis is done cell by cell for greater precision.)
- O relatório apresenta dados de consumo de energia em kilowatts por metro quadrado. (The report presents energy consumption data in kilowatts per square meter.)
These examples underscore por's omnipresence and adaptability. Whether in casual conversation or formal documentation, its role in establishing precise quantitative relationships remains constant.
Quick FAQ
por in rate expressions, clarifying nuances and reinforcing correct usage.por a semana" for "per week"?two times per week), you must use por semana without the article.the week) in an exchange context, it would need to contract to pela semana, but this is less common for simple frequency.por cento the only way to say "percent"?por cento (per hundred) is the standard and only correct way to express "percent" in Portuguese. This phrase perfectly encapsulates the proportional nature of por.a used instead of por for prices or speeds. Why?a typically indicates a state or current level, often translated as "at." For instance, O carro está a 100 km/h (The car is at 100 km/h) describes its current speed. Por, on the other hand, defines the unit rate or the standard of measurement, e.g., 100 km por hora (100 km per hour). They are not interchangeable when defining the unit of the rate.por for rates differ between Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese?por to express rates, frequencies, and measurements, the usage is identical in both Brazilian and European Portuguese. The grammatical structure and meaning remain consistent across dialects. While accents and some vocabulary may vary, por dia, por quilo, por pessoa, and their contracted forms (pelo, pela) are universally understood and correctly applied in the same contexts in both variants.por always used for distribution, or are there alternatives?por is very common for distribution (e.g., um por um, por pessoa), you might also encounter a in some distributive contexts, particularly when discussing allocation to specific recipients (e.g., dar um livro a cada aluno - give a book to each student). However, for defining the rate or unit of distribution (e.g., five items per box), por remains the primary and most idiomatic choice.por be used to express "by means of" when talking about rates?por can express "by means of" or "via." For example, enviei o pacote por correio (I sent the package by mail). When applied to rates, it implicitly suggests the means by which the rate is calculated or applied. For instance, pago por fatura (I pay by invoice) or vendido por unidade (sold by the unit) both incorporate this "by means of" nuance within the rate context.Prepositional Contractions
| Preposition | Article | Resulting Form |
|---|---|---|
|
por
|
o
|
pelo
|
|
por
|
a
|
pela
|
|
por
|
os
|
pelos
|
|
por
|
as
|
pelas
|
Common Rate Expressions
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
|
por dia
|
per day
|
|
por hora
|
per hour
|
|
por quilo
|
per kilo
|
|
por pessoa
|
per person
|
Meanings
The preposition 'por' functions as a distributive marker to indicate a rate, frequency, or unit-based value.
Price per unit
Indicates the cost of an item based on its weight, volume, or count.
“O café custa 5 euros por xícara.”
“Vendemos ovos por dúzia.”
Frequency per time
Indicates how often something occurs within a specific timeframe.
“Eu corro três vezes por semana.”
“Ele toma remédio duas vezes por dia.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Value + por + Unit
|
Custa 5 por quilo
|
|
Negative
|
Não + Value + por + Unit
|
Não pago 5 por quilo
|
|
Question
|
Quanto + por + Unit?
|
Quanto é por quilo?
|
|
Contraction
|
Value + pelo + Noun
|
Pago pelo mês
|
Formality Spectrum
Qual é o valor por quilo? (Market)
Quanto custa por quilo? (Market)
Quanto é o quilo? (Market)
Quanto tá o quilo? (Market)
The Por Web
Rates
- por hora per hour
Prices
- por quilo per kilo
Examples by Level
Custa 2 reais por maçã.
It costs 2 reais per apple.
Eu corro por dia.
I run per day.
Um por um.
One by one.
Dois por pessoa.
Two per person.
O preço é 10 reais por quilo.
The price is 10 reais per kilo.
Trabalho 8 horas por dia.
I work 8 hours per day.
Ele ganha 20 euros por hora.
He earns 20 euros per hour.
Comemos pizza uma vez por semana.
We eat pizza once per week.
O aluguel é pago pelo mês.
The rent is paid by the month.
A velocidade é de 100km por hora.
The speed is 100km per hour.
Eles cobram pela unidade.
They charge by the unit.
Dividimos a conta por pessoa.
We split the bill by person.
A taxa de juros é calculada por ano.
The interest rate is calculated per year.
O consumo de energia aumentou por mês.
Energy consumption increased per month.
A produção é medida por lote.
Production is measured by batch.
Eles pagam pelo serviço prestado.
They pay by the service provided.
A produtividade é avaliada por trimestre.
Productivity is evaluated per quarter.
O imposto é cobrado por transação.
The tax is charged per transaction.
A frequência é definida por ciclo.
The frequency is defined by cycle.
O custo por habitante é alto.
The cost per inhabitant is high.
A distribuição é feita por capita.
Distribution is done per capita.
A incidência ocorre por milhão.
The incidence occurs per million.
O rendimento é calculado por hectare.
Yield is calculated per hectare.
A taxa é fixada por decreto.
The rate is fixed by decree.
Easily Confused
Both are common prepositions.
Contractions are often skipped.
Spelling confusion.
Common Mistakes
Custa 5 para quilo
Custa 5 por quilo
Custa 5 por o quilo
Custa 5 pelo quilo
Trabalho por dia
Trabalho por dia (correct, but check context)
Quanto custa para hora?
Quanto custa por hora?
Pago 10 para mês
Pago 10 por mês
Dois por a pessoa
Dois por pessoa
Pelo hora
Por hora
O preço por o quilo é alto
O preço pelo quilo é alto
Custo para habitante
Custo por habitante
Dividido para dois
Dividido por dois
A taxa para transação
A taxa por transação
O custo para hectare
O custo por hectare
Calculado para ano
Calculado por ano
Sentence Patterns
Custa ___ por ___.
Eu faço isso ___ por ___.
O custo ___ é de ___ por ___.
A taxa é calculada ___ por ___.
Real World Usage
Quanto custa por quilo?
O salário é por hora.
Treino 3 vezes por semana.
O aluguel é por dia.
Dividimos por pessoa.
Cobrado por mês.
Use 'por' for rates
Don't use 'para'
Contractions matter
Casual speech
Smart Tips
Always link the price to the unit with 'por'.
Use 'por' + time period.
Contract 'por' + 'o' to 'pelo'.
Contract 'por' + 'a' to 'pela'.
Pronunciation
Por vs Pelo
Por is pronounced /poɾ/, Pelo is /pelu/.
Question
Quanto custa por quilo? ↑
Rising intonation for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Por is for the Price and the Pace.
Visual Association
Imagine a scale (balance) with 'Por' written on the center. On one side is the money, on the other is the item.
Rhyme
For price or for time, 'por' is the rhyme.
Story
Maria went to the market. She asked 'Quanto por quilo?'. The seller said '5 reais'. She bought 3 kilos and paid 15 reais.
Word Web
Challenge
Go to a Portuguese grocery website and list 5 items with their prices 'por quilo'.
Cultural Notes
In Brazil, 'por' is standard, but in casual speech, people often drop the preposition entirely, e.g., 'Quanto o quilo?'.
Derived from Latin 'per'.
Conversation Starters
Quanto custa o café por xícara?
Quantas vezes por semana você treina?
Qual é o seu salário por hora?
Como é calculado o custo por habitante?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Custa 5 reais ___ quilo.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Eu trabalho para hora.
O preço é 10 reais cada quilo.
Can you use 'para' for rates?
A: Quanto é o aluguel? B: 500 reais ___ mês.
quilo / por / 5 / custa / reais
Which uses 'por'?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesCusta 5 reais ___ quilo.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Eu trabalho para hora.
O preço é 10 reais cada quilo.
Can you use 'para' for rates?
A: Quanto é o aluguel? B: 500 reais ___ mês.
quilo / por / 5 / custa / reais
Which uses 'por'?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesEu vou ao cinema uma vez ___ mês.
Ela apaixonou-se ___ sorriso dele. (She fell in love with/for his smile)
How do you say 'Price per person'?
Eu pago 10 euros pela hora de trabalho.
Match the phrases
semana / vezes / três / Treino / por
Twice a year
How do you ask 'Is it by the kilo?'
Obrigado ___ tudo! (Thanks for everything)
Vou viajar para Portugal uma vez o ano.
Por + As = ___
Select the sentence involving a specific object.
Translate to Portuguese
Score: /13
FAQ (8)
No, 'para' is for purpose or destination. Use 'por' for prices.
Only when 'por' is followed by 'o'.
Use 'por dia'.
Yes, in the context of rates and frequency.
No, 'por hora' is standard.
Yes, '100km por hora'.
The rule is the same, but usage of contractions might vary slightly.
That's a different rule (causal por).
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
por
None.
par
French does not use contractions like 'pelo'.
pro
German is a separate preposition, not a contraction.
あたり (atari)
It is a suffix, not a preposition.
لكل (li-kull)
It is a compound phrase.
每 (měi)
It is a prefix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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