El libro no es para mí.

to be

Breakdown of El libro no es para mí.

• el libro: the book
• mí: me
• para: for

Questions & Answers about El libro no es para mí.

Why do we say para mí instead of por mí in this sentence?

In Spanish, para typically indicates the recipient, destination, or purpose of something, whereas por often refers to cause or means. Since the sentence refers to the intended recipient of the book (or lack thereof, since it’s not for you), para mí is the correct choice.

Why is it es and not está?

In Spanish, ser (conjugated as es here) is commonly used for more permanent or defining characteristics, while estar is used for states or conditions that can change. In this sentence, we’re expressing the book’s purpose or a more lasting relationship (ownership/beneficiary), so es is the right verb.

Why isn’t mí spelled without an accent like mi?

The accent distinguishes mí (the pronoun meaning “me”) from mi (the possessive adjective meaning “my”). Since in this sentence we need the pronoun (the book is not for me), we must use mí with the accent.

Is there a contraction for para el (like al from a + el)?

No. In Spanish, there are only two contractions: al (from a + el) and del (from de + el). The preposition para does not contract with el, so you would write para el with no change.

Can I say El libro no es mío instead?

Mío is a possessive pronoun meaning “mine,” while para mí indicates for me. If you say El libro no es mío, you imply “The book isn’t mine” (I don’t own it). If you say El libro no es para mí, you imply “The book isn’t intended for me.” They convey different nuances.