Prepositions of place in Spanish are words that indicate the location or spatial relationship between two or more things. They are essential for describing where something is.
Prepositions of place are used to express the position or location of an object relative to another. Some of the most common prepositions of place in Spanish include en (in/on), sobre (on/above), debajo de (under), delante de (in front of), detrás de (behind), al lado de (next to), and entre (between). Unlike English, Spanish often requires the use of the preposition de after certain prepositions to complete the phrase (e.g., debajo de la mesa).
- Indicate location or position
- Often include the preposition de for clarity
- Can describe simple or complex spatial relationships
Table of Contents
- Common Prepositions of Place
- Usage with Articles and Nouns
- Examples of Prepositions of Place in Sentences
- Additional Spatial Expressions
- Common Mistakes and Tips
- Practice Exercises
Common Prepositions of Place
Here are some of the most common Spanish prepositions of place, along with their English equivalents and example sentences:
| Spanish Preposition | English Equivalent | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| en | in/on | El libro está en la mesa. | The book is on the table. |
| sobre | on/above | El cuadro está sobre el sofá. | The painting is above the sofa. |
| debajo de | under | El gato está debajo de la silla. | The cat is under the chair. |
| delante de | in front of | El coche está delante de la casa. | The car is in front of the house. |
| detrás de | behind | La tienda está detrás del banco. | The shop is behind the bank. |
| al lado de | next to | El perro está al lado del niño. | The dog is next to the boy. |
| entre | between | El parque está entre la escuela y el museo. | The park is between the school and the museum. |
| cerca de | near | La farmacia está cerca del hospital. | The pharmacy is near the hospital. |
| lejos de | far from | Mi casa está lejos de aquí. | My house is far from here. |
Usage with Articles and Nouns
In Spanish, when a preposition is followed by a definite article, they often combine into a contraction: a + el = al and de + el = del. This is important for avoiding awkward phrasing and is a common source of mistakes for learners.
| Preposition + Definite Article | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| al (a + el) | Vamos al parque. | Let's go to the park. |
| del (de + el) | Vengo del mercado. | I come from the market. |
Note that this contraction only occurs with el (masculine singular). For la, los, and las, the preposition and article remain separate (e.g., de la, a las).
Examples of Prepositions of Place in Sentences
Here are example sentences that show how prepositions of place are used in context:
| Spanish Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| El libro está en la mochila. | The book is in the backpack. |
| La lámpara está sobre la mesa. | The lamp is on the table. |
| Los zapatos están debajo de la cama. | The shoes are under the bed. |
| El jardín está delante de la casa. | The garden is in front of the house. |
| La ventana está detrás de la puerta. | The window is behind the door. |
| Mi hermano está al lado de mi madre. | My brother is next to my mother. |
| El supermercado está entre la panadería y la farmacia. | The supermarket is between the bakery and the pharmacy. |
Additional Spatial Expressions
In addition to simple prepositions, Spanish also uses some expressions to describe more specific spatial relationships:
| Spanish Expression | English Equivalent | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| junto a | next to/close to | Estoy junto a la ventana. | I am next to the window. |
| enfrente de | facing/in front of | La plaza está enfrente del museo. | The square is in front of the museum. |
| a la derecha de | to the right of | El baño está a la derecha del pasillo. | The bathroom is to the right of the hallway. |
| a la izquierda de | to the left of | La cocina está a la izquierda del comedor. | The kitchen is to the left of the dining room. |
| encima de | on top of | El gato está encima del armario. | The cat is on top of the wardrobe. |
| alrededor de | around | Hay árboles alrededor del lago. | There are trees around the lake. |
Common Mistakes and Tips
Understanding common errors can help you avoid them and use prepositions of place more confidently.
| Mistake | Correction | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Voy a el parque. | Voy al parque. | Use the contraction al instead of a el. |
| El libro está en el mesa. | El libro está en la mesa. | Mesa is feminine, so use la. |
| El gato está debajo la cama. | El gato está debajo de la cama. | Use de after debajo. |
| La tienda está a lado del banco. | La tienda está al lado del banco. | Use the contraction al lado (a + el lado). |
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of place and article if needed:
- El reloj está (on) la pared.
- La biblioteca está (between) la escuela y la iglesia.
- El perro duerme (under) la mesa.
- Mi habitación está (next to) la de mi hermano.
- El supermercado está (in front of) la plaza.
Answers:
- en
- entre
- debajo de
- al lado de
- delante de
Understanding and using prepositions of place in Spanish will help you describe locations accurately and navigate conversations about the physical world with confidence.
Flashcards (1 of 22)
- English Equivalent: in/on
- English Example: The book is on the table.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
