grammar.prepositions.para-uses
Para: purpose, destination, deadline, recipient
Purpose (para aprender), recipient (para ti), destination (salgo para Lima), deadline (para el viernes), standard of comparison (alto para su edad), opinion (para mí).
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Explanation
Para always points forward, toward a goal, an end, or a recipient. Purpose: estudio para el examen, una pastilla para el dolor; with an infinitive it means 'in order to': salí para comprar pan. Recipient or beneficiary: un regalo para vos, esto es para la vecina.
It also marks a destination (el bus para Yacuiba, salgo para Lima), a deadline (lo necesito para el lunes), and employment (trabajo para una ONG). After a date or time, para means 'by/for that point', not 'during'.
Two idiomatic uses: para mí / para ella introduces an opinion ('in my view'), and para + a noun flags a surprising standard of comparison: habla bien para ser principiante, alto para su edad. The head-to-head choices against por live in the dedicated por/para rule.
Examples
I need the report by Monday.
Region: global
This package is for the neighbor.
Region: global
This box is for you; I need it back by Friday.