Welcome to the fascinating realm of Spanish prepositions! 

Whether you’re embarking on your Spanish language journey for the first time or revisiting grammar basics, the exploration of prepositions is an essential step. These seemingly small words wield immense power, intricately weaving sentences together.

Consider prepositions the unsung heroes of language, the glue that binds words and ideas. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll delve into the definition of Spanish prepositions and uncover the vital role they play in our everyday communication. Fear not, as we navigate through this linguistic terrain, we’ll keep the tone light and the learning enjoyable.

What is a Spanish preposition?

Picture a sentence as a puzzle—each word is a piece that fits perfectly to convey meaning. Spanish prepositions (preposiciones) are the puzzle’s connectors, guiding us through the relationships between words. Just as in English, prepositions in Spanish indicate location, time, direction, and more.

Take, for instance, the English phrase “on the table.” In Spanish, it transforms into “sobre la mesa.” These prepositions serve as linguistic signposts, offering clarity and context to our expressions.

As we embark on this linguistic journey, remember that prepositions are the unsung heroes, subtly influencing the dynamics of communication. Now, let’s dive deeper into their role:

Simple Spanish Prepositions

1. A 

English: To/For/At

Examples:

• Vamos a la playa. (We are going to the beach.)
• Te veo a las dos en punto. (I’ll see you at two o’clock.)
• Le compré un libro a mi hermano. (I bought a book for my brother.)

2. Ante

English: Before/In the presence of

Examples:

• Ante la adversidad, muestra tu fuerza. (Before adversity, show your strength.)
• Se presentó ante el director con confianza. (He presented himself before the director with confidence.)

3. Bajo

English: Under/Beneath

Examples:

• El gato está bajo la mesa. (The cat is under the table.)
• Caminamos bajo la lluvia. (We walked beneath the rain.)

4. Con

English: With

Examples:

• Voy con mis amigos al cine. (I am going to the movies with my friends.)
• Preparé la cena con mi hermana. (I prepared dinner with my sister.)

5. Contra

English: Against

Examples:

• Lucharon contra viento y marea. (They fought against all odds.)
• Apoyamos contra la pared. (We leaned against the wall.)

6. De

English: Of/From

Examples:

• Soy de España. (I am from Spain.)
• El libro de Juan está en la mesa. (Juan’s book is on the table.)

7. Desde

English: Since/From

Examples:

• Trabajo desde casa. (I work from home.)
• Estamos juntos desde el colegio. (We’ve been together since school.)

8. Durante

English: During

Examples:

• Estudié durante la noche. (I studied during the night.)
• Hablaron durante la conferencia. (They spoke during the conference.)

9. En

English: In/On/At

Examples:

• Estoy en casa. (I am at home.)
• El cuaderno está en la mesa. (The notebook is on the table.)

10. Entre

English: Between/Among

Examples:

• Estoy entre dos opciones. (I am between two options.)
• Compartimos secretos entre amigos. (We share secrets among friends.)

11. Hacia

English: Toward

Examples:

• Caminamos hacia el parque. (We walked toward the park.)
• El tren se dirige hacia el sur. (The train is heading toward the south.)

12. Hasta

English: Until

Examples:

• Trabajaré hasta las seis. (I will work until six.)
• Viajamos hasta la frontera. (We traveled until the border.)

13. Mediante

English: Through/By means of

Examples:

• Logramos el éxito mediante el esfuerzo conjunto. (We achieved success through collective effort.)
• Se comunicaron mediante mensajes de texto. (They communicated by means of text messages.)

14. Para

English: For/To

Examples:

• Estudiamos para aprender. (We study to learn.)
• Este regalo es para ti. (This gift is for you.)

15. Por

English: For/By

Examples:

• Gracias por el regalo. (Thanks for the gift.)
• Pasamos por el parque. (We passed by the park.)

16. Según

English: According to

Examples:

• Según el libro, el sol es una estrella. (According to the book, the sun is a star.)
• Actúa según tus principios. (Act according to your principles.)

17. Sin

English: Without

Examples:

• No puedo vivir sin música. (I can’t live without music.)
• Cena sin sal, por favor. (Dinner without salt, please.)

18. Sobre

English: On/Above

Examples:

• El libro está sobre la mesa. (The book is on the table.)
• Hablamos sobre el proyecto. (We talked about the project.)

19. Tras

English: After/Behind

Examples:

• Corrimos tras el autobús. (We ran after the bus.)
• Está tras la puerta. (It’s behind the door.)

20. Versus

English: Versus

Examples:

• Real Madrid versus Barcelona. (Real Madrid versus Barcelona.)
• Este debate es ciencia versus religión. (This debate is science versus religion.)

Take Your Spanish to the Next Level!

Congratulations on unraveling the mysteries of Spanish prepositions! What might initially seem like a modest feat is, in fact, a giant stride toward fluency. Embracing these subtle connectors enhances your ability to express ideas and navigate the intricacies of the language.

Language learning is a thrilling expedition, and mastering prepositions is a pivotal phase in this journey. Keep exploring, keep practicing, and soon you’ll find yourself effortlessly traversing the Spanish language landscape. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!) Remember, every word, especially prepositions, is a stepping stone toward linguistic proficiency.

Interested in learning more Spanish? Our expert staff will get in touch within 24 hours, and you can start practicing your Spanish right away. Or sign up for a group class (online or in person) or test your level for free with our free quizzes.