Por Siempre y Para Siempre
 

This is the title of a song that I have on a CD with all religious songs. The verse goes something like "Por siempre y para siempre yo te amaré".

For ever and for ever? If so, what is the significance in changing from "por" to "para". If not, what is the correct sense/translation?

Thanks!!

Both senses of "for" in translation to Spanish are in focus..."por cierto",
y "para siempre", perhaps?

I'm sorry - I don't understand your meaning. I don't really know the two "senses" of "for" in Spanish. I just know that there are certain times to use one and certain times to use the other. What do you mean by your last sentence?

I guess the translation would be "Forever and ever"

Right?

Here's what the DRAE says:

para siempre.
1. loc. adv. Por todo tiempo o por tiempo indefinido. Me voy para siempre

por siempre.

1. loc. adv. Perpetuamente o por tiempo sin fin. Por siempre sea alabado y bendito

Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

There must be a subtle difference, or they wouldn't have two meanings. It looks like the former focuses on a state, while the latter focuses on the duration of an action. It's hard to see the difference, but por is used with the duration (the progress of time) in mind. :twocents:

Thanks, all of you! It's starting to make a little sense to me! :)

There you go, thanks Rusty

Rusty's suggestions are correct.

Por and para siempre always will be correct.

I suppose so, but these dictionaries are usually compiled by a large team. Is it not possible that these two entries were made by 2 people not talking to each other, and the two expressions are indistiguishable? I can't see any difference. :thinking:

Yeah, but the whole point is that there must be a subtle difference or the title/verse of the song wouldn't be así....