A2 Spanish GrammarPrepositions (Location & Direction)
Master Spanish prepositions for describing location (encima de, debajo de, al lado de) and direction (hacia, hasta). Learn compound prepositions and their use with estar and verbs of motion.
1Location Prepositions
Spanish uses compound prepositions (preposition + de) to describe where things are located. These are used with estar. Remember: de + el = del. These prepositions describe static position.
Location Prepositions
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| encima de | on top of | encima de la mesa |
| debajo de | under | debajo de la cama |
| delante de | in front of | delante de la casa |
| detrás de | behind | detrás del coche |
| al lado de | next to | al lado de la ventana |
| cerca de | near | cerca del parque |
| lejos de | far from | lejos de aquà |
| dentro de | inside | dentro del edificio |
| fuera de | outside | fuera de la ciudad |
Examples
El gato está debajo de la mesa.
The cat is under the table.
debajo de + noun
Vivo cerca del centro.
I live near the center.
de + el = del
El banco está al lado del supermercado.
The bank is next to the supermarket.
al lado de = next to
Hay un parque detrás de mi casa.
There's a park behind my house.
detrás de = behind
2More Position Words
Additional prepositions describe position relative to objects. Entre means 'between/among'. Enfrente de means 'across from/opposite'. Alrededor de means 'around'. These help give precise directions.
More Position Words
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| entre | between/among | entre la mesa y la silla |
| enfrente de | across from | enfrente del banco |
| alrededor de | around | alrededor del parque |
| en medio de | in the middle of | en medio de la plaza |
| a la derecha de | to the right of | a la derecha de la puerta |
| a la izquierda de | to the left of | a la izquierda del cine |
Examples
El restaurante está entre el banco y la farmacia.
The restaurant is between the bank and the pharmacy.
entre A y B
La parada está enfrente del hotel.
The stop is across from the hotel.
enfrente de = opposite
Gira a la derecha de la iglesia.
Turn right at the church.
a la derecha de
Hay árboles alrededor de la casa.
There are trees around the house.
alrededor de = around
3Direction Prepositions
For movement and direction, use hacia (toward), hasta (until/as far as), desde (from/since), and por (through/along). These are used with verbs of motion like ir, venir, caminar.
Direction Prepositions
| Spanish | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| hacia | toward | direction without arrival |
| hasta | until, as far as | endpoint |
| desde | from | starting point |
| por | through, along | path/route |
| a | to | destination |
Examples
Camina hacia la plaza.
Walk toward the square.
hacia = toward (direction)
Fui hasta el final de la calle.
I went as far as the end of the street.
hasta = as far as
Desde aquà se ve el mar.
From here you can see the sea.
desde = from (location)
Pasamos por el parque.
We passed through the park.
por = through
4Encima/Arriba, Debajo/Abajo
Encima de and debajo de are prepositions (need de + noun). Arriba and abajo are adverbs (used alone or with de for emphasis). Understanding this distinction helps with natural usage.
Prepositions vs Adverbs
| Preposition | Adverb | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| encima de la mesa | arriba | on the table vs up/above |
| debajo de la cama | abajo | under the bed vs down/below |
| dentro de la caja | adentro | inside the box vs inside |
| fuera de la casa | afuera | outside the house vs outside |
Examples
Las llaves están encima de la mesa.
The keys are on the table.
encima de + specific place
Mi habitación está arriba.
My room is upstairs.
arriba = adverb (no de)
El perro está debajo de la silla.
The dog is under the chair.
debajo de + noun
Vamos afuera.
Let's go outside.
afuera = adverb