Place adverbs specify the location or direction of an action. They can come before or after the verb, depending on emphasis and sentence structure. Common examples include aquí (here), allí (there), arriba (up), and abajo (down).
General Rules
- Most place adverbs can appear before or after the verb.
- If the verb has a direct object pronoun (e.g., lo, la), the adverb usually follows the verb.
- Emphasis can affect placement (e.g., placing the adverb at the beginning adds stress to the location).
Example Rules
| Rule | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adverb before verb | Aquí vivo. | I live here. |
| Adverb after verb | Vivo aquí. | I live here. |
| Adverb after object pronoun | Lo puse allí. | I put it there. |
| Beginning for emphasis | Allí está el libro. | There is the book. |
Categories
. Fixed-Form Adverbs
These are single words that do not change form and can appear before or after the verb.
| Adverb | Meaning | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| aquí | here | Estoy aquí. | I am here. |
| allí | there | Ella está allí. | She is there. |
| allá | over there | Voy allá. | I’m going over there. |
| cerca | near | Vivo cerca. | I live nearby. |
| lejos | far | Está lejos. | It’s far away. |
| dentro | inside | Entra dentro. | Go inside. |
| fuera | outside | Salgo fuera. | I go outside. |
. Adverbs with Direction (Movements)
These indicate movement toward, away, or along a path. They often come after the verb and sometimes appear with prepositions.
| Adverb | Meaning | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| arriba | up | Sube arriba. | Go up. |
| abajo | down | Baja abajo. | Go down. |
| adelante | forward | Ve adelante. | Go forward. |
| atrás | backward | Retrocede atrás. | Move backward. |
| alrededor | around | Camina alrededor. | Walk around. |
| dentro | inside | Entra dentro. | Go inside. |
| fuera | outside | Sal afuera. | Go outside. |
. Adverbs Derived from Prepositions
Some place adverbs come from prepositions, often adding an -a ending. They specify location relative to something else.
| Adverb | Meaning | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| arriba | above/up | El cuadro está arriba. | The picture is above. |
| abajo | below/down | El gato está abajo. | The cat is below. |
| delante | in front | El auto está delante. | The car is in front. |
| detrás | behind | Ella está detrás. | She is behind. |
| cerca | near | Estamos cerca. | We are nearby. |
| lejos | far | Está lejos. | It’s far away. |
Which category includes adverbs formed from prepositions by adding an \"-a\" ending, such as delante and detrás?
Adverbs Derived from Prepositions
These adverbs come from prepositions and often describe spatial relationships relative to other objects (e.g., delante = in front of, detrás = behind).
Placement Guidelines with Pronouns
When using direct or indirect object pronouns, the adverb usually follows the verb plus pronoun.
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lo dejé aquí. | I left it here. |
| Se fue afuera. | He/she went outside. |
| Te llamaré luego. | I will call you later. |
In the sentence "Se fue afuera," what is the order of the verb, pronoun, and adverb?
Verb + pronoun + adverb
The reflexive pronoun "se" directly follows the verb "fue," with the place adverb "afuera" at the end.
Summary
- Place adverbs tell where an action happens or where something is located.
- They can appear before or after the verb, but if pronouns are used, the adverb typically comes last.
- Context and emphasis can influence exact placement.
Next Steps
- Practice with common place adverbs in sentences of various lengths.
- Notice placement when direct or indirect object pronouns are involved.
- Use context to decide whether the adverb should come before or after the verb for natural emphasis.
Conclusion
Place adverbs in Spanish are flexible but follow logical patterns. Most appear either before or after the verb, staying close to the action word. Pronouns within the verb phrase mean the adverb tends to come at the end. Understanding these rules will help you describe locations and movements clearly in Spanish.
Flashcards (1 of 24)
- Rule: Adverb before verb
- English Example: I live here.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
