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This lesson covers Spanish prepositions of place like "fuera de" (outside of), "bajo" (under), and "alrededor de" (around). You'll learn how to express locations and spatial relationships, including key combinations like "al" (a + el) and "del" (de + el).
  1. Some prepositions of place are always accompanied by "de".
  2. When we add the preposition in front of a noun, we need to pay attention to the gender. If the noun is masculine, de combines with the article. de + el = del
  3. The same happens with the preposition a: a + el = al. Example: Me pruebo la cazadora al lado del espejo
Preposición (Preposition)Significado (Meaning)Ejemplo (Example)
ADirección o movimiento (Direction or movement)He llevado esta camiseta a todas partes.
DePosición / Origen (Position / Origin)Me pruebo la cazadora al lado del probador.
Esta es la camiseta de mi madre,
DesdePunto de inicio (Starting point)Vengo desde la tienda de ropa.
HastaEl límite de lugar o tiempo (The limit of place or time)He llevado esta camiseta hasta que se hizo vieja.
Junto + aProximidad (Proximity)El probador está junto a la entrada.
Enfrente + deFrente a algo (Opposite something)La cazadora está enfrente de la blusa.
Fuera + deEn el exterior (outside)La gorra está fuera de lugar.
Alrededor + deEn torno a algo (Around something)Las tiendas están alrededor de la plaza.
A lo largo + deA lo largo de un área (Along an area)Me gusta caminar a lo largo del centro comercial.
BajoDebajo de algo (Under something)Los calcetines están bajo la cama. (The socks are under the bed.)

 

Exceptions!

  1. Only the preposition "junto" is followed by "a".

Exercise 1: Las preposiciones de lugar: "Fuera de", "Bajo", "Alrededor de",etc...

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

del, hasta, a, fuera de, junto a, a lo largo de, enfrente de

1. Origen:
: Esta es la blusa ... siglo XX.
(This is the blouse of the 20th century.)
2. Movimiento a lo largo de:
: Las gorras están ... la mesa.
(The caps are along the table.)
3. Ubicación exterior:
: La tienda de ropa está ... la zona comercial.
(The clothing store is outside the shopping area.)
4. Límite de:
: La camiseta estuvo en la tienda ... que la vendieron.
(The T-shirt was in the shop until they sold it.)
5. Posición:
: La cazadora está fuera ... armario.
(The jacket is outside the wardrobe.)
6. Proximidad:
: La cazadora está ... la blusa.
(The jacket is next to the blouse.)
7. Frente a:
: El probador está ... la entrada.
(The fitting room is opposite the entrance.)
8. Dirección:
: Voy ... la tienda a comprar una camiseta nueva.
(I am going to the shop to buy a new t-shirt.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence that appropriately uses prepositions of place and combinations with definite articles according to the given rules.

1.
"En" is incorrectly used after "fuera"; it should be "fuera de".
The preposition "de" after "fuera" is missing, which is mandatory.
2.
The preposition "de" is missing after "debajo"; it should be "debajo de la mesa."
"Bajo" should not be followed by "de"; adding "de" here is incorrect.
3.
The preposition "junto" does not combine with "de", but with "a".
The preposition "a" after "junto" is missing, which is mandatory.
4.
"Del" should not be separated into "de el"; the contraction "del" must be used.
The correct contraction of "a" + "el" which should be "al" is omitted.

Lesson Overview: Prepositions of Place in Spanish

This lesson covers key Spanish prepositions of place that indicate location or position in relation to other objects or people. Understanding these prepositions is essential for describing where things are, moving around spaces, and giving precise directions.

Core Prepositions and Their Meanings

  • a: indicates direction or movement (e.g., "He llevado esta camiseta a todas partes.")
  • de: shows position or origin (e.g., "Esta es la camiseta de mi madre.")
  • desde: marks the starting point (e.g., "Vengo desde la tienda de ropa.")
  • hasta: expresses the limit of place or time (e.g., "He llevado esta camiseta hasta que se hizo vieja.")
  • junto + a: indicates proximity (e.g., "El probador está junto a la entrada.")
  • enfrente + de: means facing something (e.g., "La cazadora está enfrente de la blusa.")
  • fuera + de: means outside of (e.g., "La gorra está fuera de lugar.")
  • alrededor + de: around something (e.g., "Las tiendas están alrededor de la plaza.")
  • a lo largo + de: along an area (e.g., "Me gusta caminar a lo largo del centro comercial.")
  • bajo: under or beneath something (e.g., "Los calcetines están bajo la cama.")

Grammatical Notes on Prepositions + Articles

Several Spanish prepositions combine with the definite article el to form contractions for smoother pronunciation and writing, important for proper use:

  • de + el = del (e.g., "Me pruebo la cazadora al lado del probador.")
  • a + el = al (e.g., "Me pruebo la cazadora al lado del espejo.")

Note that only junto is always followed by a. For all others like "enfrente", "fuera", "alrededor", use "de" after the preposition.

Differences Between English and Spanish Prepositions of Place

While English prepositions of place often correspond directly to Spanish ones, Spanish frequently uses preposition + article combinations and fixed phrases that don’t always directly translate word-for-word.

For example:

  • “Outside the house” in English becomes “fuera de la casa” in Spanish. Note the mandatory use of de after fuera.
  • “Next to the door” is “junto a la puerta”. English simply uses next to, but Spanish requires junto a, never junto de.

Also, Spanish contracts when combining a or de with the masculine article el into al and del, unlike English which keeps them separate.

Useful Phrases to Practice

  • El probador está junto a la entrada.
  • Los libros están enfrente de la lámpara.
  • La bicicleta está fuera de la casa.
  • Caminamos a lo largo del río.
  • Los zapatos están bajo la mesa.

This guide prepares you for exercises behind the payment wall, helping you understand and confidently use these prepositions in daily Spanish conversations about locations and directions.

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