Prepositions

Spanish Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

Lessons Spanish Lessons
Linguistic Spanish Vocabulary
Culture Spanish Phrases
Structure Spanish Grammar

This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Spanish like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Spanish Classes.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Grammar Rule

In Spanish, prepositions are used the same way they are used in English. So that makes life easy for Spanish learners. Here are some examples

  • The hat is under the table: El sombrero está debajo de la mesa.
  • I like tea with milk: Me gusta el té con leche

Below is a list of 27 prepositions that you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Spanish, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Prepositions List in Spanish

Prepositions Spanish Audio
In front ofenfrente de
Behinddetrás de
Beforeantes
Afterdespués
Insideadentro
Withcon
Withoutsin
Outsideafuera
On top ofsobre
Underdebajo
About (in regards to)sobre
Againstcontra
Andy
As (similar to)tan
Betweenentre
Butpero
Forpara
Fromdesde
Inen
Instead ofen lugar de
Nearcerca
Ofde
Oro
Sincedesde
Soentonces
Toa
Untilhasta

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full Spanish sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

Spanish Prepositions in a Sentence

English Spanish Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?¿Puedo practicar italiano contigo?
I speak French but with an accentHablo francés con acento
I was born in MiamiNací en Miami
I'm from JapanSoy de Japón
The letter is inside the bookLa carta está dentro del libro
The pen is under the deskLa pluma está debajo del escritorio
Directions
Can I help you?¿Le puedo ayudar?¿Le puedo ayudar?

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me If you simply want to ask a question, please Spanish contact form on the header above.

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in Spanish

Directions Spanish Audio
Can you help me?¿Me puede ayudar?
Can you show me?¿Me puede mostrar?
Come with me!¡venga conmigo!
Downtown (city center)centro
Excuse me! (to ask someone)disculpe
Go straightvaya derecho
How can I get to the museum? ¿Cómo llego al museo?
How long does it take to get there?¿En cuanto tiempo se llega?
I'm lostestoy perdido
I'm not from hereno soy de aquí
It's far from hereestá lejos de aquí
It's near hereestá cerca de aquí
One moment please!¡un momento por favor!
Turn leftgire a la izquierda
Turn rightgire a la derecha
Farlejos
Hereaquí
Leftizquierda
Rightderecha
Nearcerca
Straightderecho
Thereallí
To drivemanejar
To turndar vuelta
To walkcaminar
Traffic lightsemáforo
Transportationtransportación

Daily Conversation in Spanish

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Spanish. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Spanish Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Spanish

English Spanish Audio
Do you speak English?¿Habla inglés?
Just a littlesólo un poco
What's your name?¿Cómo se llama?
My name is (John Doe)Mi nombre es (Juan Pérez)
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...Sr. / Sra. / Srita
Nice to meet you!¡mucho gusto!
You're very kind!¡eres muy amable!

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Spanish about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Spanish Lesson 5. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Spanish homepage.

Lessons Spanish Lessons
Linguistic Spanish Vocabulary
Culture Spanish Phrases
Structure Spanish Grammar