за vs для

za vs dlya — for/on behalf of vs for/intended for

What it really means

English "for" covers several different relationships in Russian. "Для" means intended for, meant for, or for the benefit of someone and takes the genitive: подарок для мамы (a gift for Mum), место для гостей (a place for guests). "За" can mean on behalf of, in support of, in exchange for, because of, or behind; the relevant meaning usually takes the accusative or instrumental depending on the construction.

Compare "Я купил цветы для мамы" (I bought flowers intended for Mum) with "Я сделал это за маму" (I did it instead of/on behalf of Mum). За also appears in fixed uses such as спасибо за помощь (thanks for the help) and платить за билет (pay for the ticket).

Examples in natural speech

Это подарок для тебя.
This is a gift for you.
Я купил билет для друга.
I bought a ticket for my friend.
Спасибо за помощь.
Thank you for your help.
Мы голосовали за кандидата.
We voted for the candidate.
Я заплатил за кофе.
I paid for the coffee.
Она сделала это за меня.
She did it for me / instead of me.

Common mistakes

Do not replace every English "for" with для. Для describes the intended recipient or purpose and takes the genitive: для тебя, для работы. За appears with payment, support, thanks, substitution, and many fixed expressions: платить за билет, голосовать за него, спасибо за помощь.

Memory tip

Для answers "intended for whom or what?"; за often answers "in exchange for, in support of, instead of, or because of what?"

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between за and для in Russian?

Для means intended for or for someone’s benefit and takes the genitive: подарок для мамы. За has meanings such as in support of, in exchange for, on behalf of, or because of: голосовать за кандидата, платить за билет, спасибо за помощь.

How do you say a gift for my friend in Russian?

Say "подарок для моего друга." Для marks the intended recipient. If you mean you are acting instead of your friend, за may be appropriate: сделать это за друга.

Why is it спасибо за помощь but подарок для мамы?

Спасибо за помощь is a fixed construction meaning thanks for the help. Подарок для мамы describes a gift intended for Mum. The English preposition is the same, but the Russian relationship is different.

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