🇪🇸A2 Spanish GrammarPrepositions (Location & Direction)
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 aquí |
| 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 aquí 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
Practice
Get 3 of 4 right to learn this lesson
Complete: 'El gato está ___ la mesa.' (under the table)
Complete: 'Vivo cerca ___ centro.' (near the center)
Complete: 'Camina ___ la plaza.' (toward the square)
Complete: 'La farmacia está ___ el banco y la panadería.' (between)
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
