the prepositions (prepositions) are invariant words used to unite the terms of a clause, thus indicating a relationship of dependence between them.
As in the Portuguese language, prepositions link certain words in a sentence, in order to establish a certain meaning.
If we say, for example Voy Madrid autobus. (I'm going to Madrid by bus.) The phrase is not logical; the prepositions to establish a connection between the elements are lacking.
The correct thing would be to say voy The Madrid en autobus. (I will à Madrid in bus).
List of prepositions in Spanish
See below for a table with some of the prepositions used in Spanish and their respective meanings.
| Prepositions in Spanish | Translation |
|---|---|
The |
à |
| before | against |
| down | under |
| with | with |
| against | against |
| in | in |
| since | since |
| during | during |
| en | in |
| in between | in between |
| hacia | toward |
| until | until |
| through | through; by means of |
| for | for |
| per | per |
| second | second |
| yes | without |
| only | under |
| about | about |
| behind | later |
| versus | versus; against |
| via | via |
Use of prepositions
See how to use each of the prepositions in spanish through explanations and example sentences.
THE
Used to indicate direction, purpose, place, mode, objective, movement and time.
the preposition The means à/a/ao and may come before noun, article, infinitive verb, demonstrative pronoun, possessive pronoun, indirect object and direct object when it refers to a person or thing personified.
Examples:
- Morning travel to Spain. (Tomorrow I'm going to Spain) – before noun
- We do a la las ocho. (We had dinner at eight.) – before article
- I am studying early. (I'm going to study early.) – before infinitive verb
- Dieron esos chicos. (They gave the money to these boys) - before demonstrative pronoun
- call my priest. (I telephoned my father.) – before possessive pronoun.
Before
Used to indicate a definite situation in which something happens. It has the sense of in front of; towards.
Examples:
- Lloró before all. (Cryed in front of everyone.)
- He declared his novia to his priests. (He declared himself to his bride before his parents.)
- Ellos were moved before the altar. (They were moved before the altar.)
low
the preposition down it can mean under, under or indicate subordination.
Examples:
- Los hombres are jugando bajo la luvia. (Men are playing in the rain.)
- Worked under the command of the director. (They worked under the director's orders.)
Con
the preposition with means with and is used to indicate mode, company, instrument, content.
Examples:
- let's play with ghas. (We played heartily.) – mode
- We travel with Juan. (We traveled with Juan.) – company
- I wrote the letter with a paperback. (He wrote the letter with a pen.) – Instrument
- Request a vase with hielo. (He asked for a glass with ice.) – content
Against
the preposition against it is used to indicate the idea of contrariety, limit, opposition.
Examples:
- He was studying against volunteers.. (He was studying against his will.) – Annoyance
- The government supports the fight against the drug. (The government supports the fight against drugs.) – opposition
- The choco coach against the wall. (The car crashed into the wall.) – limit
In
the preposition in indicates quality, material, mode, motive, possession, origin, subject, time and profession.
Examples:
- Pablo is a man of good character. (Pablo is a man of good character.) – quality
- This silla is made of wood. (This chair is made of wood.) – material
- Lo hice de buena fe. (I did it in good faith.) – way
- He died of a heart attack. (He died of a heart attack.) - reason
- I like your coach father. (I like your father's car.) – possession
- My families from Rio de Janeiro. (My family is from Rio de Janeiro.) – origin
- I'm reading a book of adventures. (I'm reading an adventure book.) – subject
- We'll settle in by day. (We arrived in the daytime.) – time
- Assistant acting. (Works as an assistant.) – profession
Since
the preposition since it is used to indicate a point in time or space at which something starts to count.
Examples:
- We walked from the iglesia to the house. (We walked from church to hospital.)
- No video since Junio. (Haven't seen him since June.)
During
the preposition during indicates the duration of something.
Examples:
- Mi hermano estudió español for 8 years. (My brother studied Spanish for 8 years.)
- We will visit the north of Brazil during the vacaciones. (We will visit northern Brazil during the holidays.)
En
the preposition en it is used to indicate place, mode, time and to refer to means of transport.
Examples:
- Mi Abuelo lives in Mexico. (My grandfather lives in Mexico.) – place
- has entered in silence. (She entered silently.) – mode
- In winter suele snow. (In winter it usually snows.) – weather
- I don't like traveling by plane. (I don't like to travel by plane.) – means of transport
In between
the preposition in between it is usually used to indicate a situation, state, or midpoint. It can also indicate cooperation or collectivity.
Examples:
- We will transfer between the 4 and the 5. (We'll arrive between 4 and 5.) – midway point
- We solved the problem between us. (We solved the problem between us.) – cooperation
- The charlas between teachers are supposed to revolve around the students. (Conversations between teachers usually revolve around students.) – collectivity
Hacia
the preposition until is used to indicate direction or approximate time/turn on. Examples:
- Let's go to the north of Spain. (Let's go to northern Spain.) – direction
- La niña llegará hacia mediated by ferero. (The girl will arrive by mid-February.) – approximate time
- We have to walk to the plaza to coger the autobus. (We have to walk to the square to catch the bus.) – approximate place
Hasta
Used to indicate the end or limit of places, actions, quantities and time.
the preposition until it can also be used to express inclusion.
Examples:
- I went to the train station. (Went to the train station.) – place limit
- She can walk up to 3 times a week. (She can walk up to 3 times a week) – stock limit
- I can spend up to 50 euros. (I can spend up to 50 euros.) – amount limit
- At the start, bell up to las ocho. (I won't leave until eight.; I won't leave before eight.) – time limit
- has my priest come. (Even my father came.) – inclusion
through
It is used before a noun that is often used as an aid to getting something. It means through, through, through.
Examples:
- I got the job on a recommendation. (He got the job on a recommendation.)
- Buy billetes by using the credit card. (They purchased tickets using their credit card.)
For
the preposition for it is mainly used to indicate direction and purpose.
Examples:
- After the classes, we went home. (After classes, we went home.) - direction
- Mi hijo me pidió dinero to buy some new pants. (My son asked me for money to buy new pants.) - purpose
Per
the preposition per it acts as an agent of the passive and is used to indicate the place, means, mode, objective and free time.
Examples:
- The autobus stops here. (The bus passes through here.) – place indication
- Hablo every day by phone with my priests. (Every day I speak on the phone with my parents.) – indication of the medium
- Ella has caught me by surprise. (She caught me by surprise.) - mode indication
- He salido by not verla. (I left so as not to see it.) – indication of purpose
- I think I'll come for now. (I think that's enough for now.) - free time indication
second
the preposition second means second; according to and indicates compliance.
Example:
- Lo haré according to official norms. (I will do it according to official standards.)
- According to the law, this is very serious. (According to the law, this is very serious.)
About
The preposition is used about to indicate height, support, subject, and proximity.
Examples:
- My dwelling has a window over the river. (My room has a window over the river.) – height indication
- The child I put the pies on the table. (The boy put his feet on the table.) – support indication
- Las madres hablaban about their children. (Mothers talked about their children. ) – subject indication
- Saldremos sobre las siete. (We will leave around seven.) – indication of proximity
after
the preposition behind means after and is used to indicate posteriority.
Examples:
- Brings back what we have passed, all saldrá bien. (After what we went through, everything turned out fine.)
- the otoño vienna after the summer. (Autumn follows summer.)
See too:
- Definite and indefinite articles in Spanish
- Spanish verbs (verbs en español)
- False Cognates in Spanish
- Spanish nouns (los nouns)
- Adjectives in Spanish (los adjectives)
- neutral article lo
- Exercises on definite and indefinite articles in Spanish
Video
Watch the video below and also see the main prepositions of place in Spanish.
Exercises
Do the exercises below and test your knowledge of Spanish prepositions.
1. (UECE/2016) According to the use of the preposition, the correct sentence is:
a) If you went to Paris by plane.
b) Let's take a stroll.
c) Hablo con ella hacia telephone.
d) I am responsible for this museum.
Correct alternative: b) Let's pasear los dos.
2. (UECE/2014) When using the sub-rayed preposition, the INCORRECT phrase is:
a) I am traveling with mis abuelos.
b) I communicate with Isabel by phone.
c) Carmen prefers to rest reading a buen libro.
d) All students participated en la huelga.
Correct alternative: c) Carmen prefers to rest reading a un good libro.
3. Children fueron al museo __________ autobús.
a) of
b) by
c) with
d) in
Correct alternative: d) en
