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This lesson explores Spanish prepositions of place such as "fuera de" (outside), "bajo" (under), and "alrededor de" (around), with practical examples like "La gorra está fuera de lugar" and "Los calcetines están bajo la cama." It highlights key combinations like "al" (a + el) and "del" (de + el) to express precise locations.
  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 properly uses the 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" is missing after "fuera", 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" is missing after "junto", which is mandatory.
4.
"Del" should not be separated into "de el"; the contraction "del" must be used.
The correct contraction of "a" + "el" as "al" is omitted.

Lesson Overview: Spanish Prepositions of Place

This lesson focuses on common Spanish prepositions used to describe the location or position of objects and people in relation to others. These prepositions are essential for expressing spatial relationships in everyday conversation and writing.

Key Prepositions Covered

  • A – Indicates direction or movement towards a place. Example: He llevado esta camiseta a todas partes.
  • De – Expresses origin or position relative to another object. Example: Me pruebo la cazadora al lado del probador.
  • Desde – Marks the starting point of movement or time. Example: Vengo desde la tienda de ropa.
  • Hasta – Signals the limit or end point in time or space. Example: He llevado esta camiseta hasta que se hizo vieja.
  • Junto + a – Indicates proximity or being next to something. Example: El probador está junto a la entrada.
  • Enfrente + de – Means facing or directly opposite to something. Example: La cazadora está enfrente de la blusa.
  • Fuera + de – Refers to being outside of something. Example: La gorra está fuera de lugar.
  • Alrededor + de – Means around or surrounding an area. Example: Las tiendas están alrededor de la plaza.
  • A lo largo + de – Indicates something extending along an area. Example: Me gusta caminar a lo largo del centro comercial.
  • Bajo – Signifies position underneath something. Example: Los calcetines están bajo la cama.

Important Grammar Notes

Some prepositions combine with the definite article depending on the gender and number of the noun. For instance:

  • de + el = del: "del probador" (male singular)
  • a + el = al: "al lado" (male singular)

These contractions are mandatory and commonly used in natural speech and writing.

The preposition "junto" is always followed by "a", as in "junto a la entrada" to indicate closeness.

Useful Expressions and Their Meanings

  • fuera de – outside of
  • bajo – under/below
  • alrededor de – around
  • junto a – next to
  • enfrente de – in front of/opposite

Differences between English and Spanish Usage

In Spanish, prepositions often combine with articles, forming contractions that are not used in English. For example, in English, you say "next to the door," but in Spanish it's "junto a la puerta" without contraction, while "al lado del espejo" contracts both preposition and article.

Unlike English, some Spanish prepositions require the preposition "de" after them, such as "fuera de" or "alrededor de", which always appear together, while English simply uses "outside" or "around" without an additional word.

Mastering these nuances helps create more natural and idiomatic sentences.

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