手早い答え
por は原因・手段・経路、para は目的地・相手・目的に焦点を当てます。
確実な見分け方は、英語から訳す前に、その単語の働きを見きわめることです。
それぞれの単語の働き
por
through, by, because of, or for
Use por for cause, means, exchange, route, duration, and action on someone’s behalf.
para
to, toward, or in order to
Use para for destination, recipient, purpose, goal, and a future deadline.
選び方
- por: Choose por if the sentence points to cause, means, exchange, route, duration, and action on someone’s behalf.
- para: Choose para if the sentence points to destination, recipient, purpose, goal, and a future deadline.
例文
Enviei o arquivo por e-mail.
I sent the file by email.
Este presente é para você.
This gift is for you.
よくある落とし穴
Both often translate as “for.” Ask whether the phrase explains why or how, or points to where, whom, or what goal.
文脈の中で練習する
自分の実生活から文を一つ選び、二回書いてみましょう。一度はporで、もう一度はparaで。どちらも成り立ちそうなら、意味の違いを言葉にしてみましょう。