Prepositions
Learning prepositions can be among the most challenging aspects of mastering Spanish. These lessons can help you learn the differences among the various Spanish prepositions.
'Por Qué' vs. 'Para Qué'
The Spanish phrases 'para qué' and 'por qué' both can mean why, but there is still a subtle difference in meaning between the two.
The Spanish phrases 'para qué' and 'por qué' both can mean why, but there is still a subtle difference in meaning between the two.
The Preposition "En"
The Spanish preposition 'en' is usually translated as 'on' or 'in,' but it also can have other meanings, and its use particularly common with certain verbs.
The Spanish preposition 'en' is usually translated as 'on' or 'in,' but it also can have other meanings, and its use particularly common with certain verbs.
Using 'A' To Mean 'In the Style Of'
The Spanish preposition 'a' can often be used to mean 'in the style of,' kind of like in the English-French phrase 'a la carte.'
The Spanish preposition 'a' can often be used to mean 'in the style of,' kind of like in the English-French phrase 'a la carte.'
Expressions Using 'En'
This Spanish lesson features a list of expressions using 'an' along with sample sentences.
This Spanish lesson features a list of expressions using 'an' along with sample sentences.
Translating 'By' to Spanish
The English preposition 'by' can be translated to Spanish in many ways, depending on its meaning and how it's used in the sentence.
The English preposition 'by' can be translated to Spanish in many ways, depending on its meaning and how it's used in the sentence.
Prepositions: An Introduction
On the one hand, prepositions in Spanish are easy to understand, because they usually function in almost the same way as they do in English. On the other hand, prepositions can be one of the most challenging aspects of using Spanish, because it is not always easy to remember which preposition to use.
On the one hand, prepositions in Spanish are easy to understand, because they usually function in almost the same way as they do in English. On the other hand, prepositions can be one of the most challenging aspects of using Spanish, because it is not always easy to remember which preposition to use.
'Por' and 'Para': A Quiz
Por and para are both translated as "for" in English, so they are often confused by native English speakers. This quiz will help you find out what areas you need to study more.
Por and para are both translated as "for" in English, so they are often confused by native English speakers. This quiz will help you find out what areas you need to study more.
The Preposition 'Sin'
The Spanish preposition sin generally means "without," and its usage is usually straightforard.
The Spanish preposition sin generally means "without," and its usage is usually straightforard.
Using the Preposition 'Durante'
The Spanish preposition is usually the equivalent of the English 'during,' but the way it is used isn't exactly the same as the English word is used.
The Spanish preposition is usually the equivalent of the English 'during,' but the way it is used isn't exactly the same as the English word is used.
Using the Personal 'A'
The preposition a typically means "to." There are some instances where its use is mandatory in Spanish but not translated to English.
The preposition a typically means "to." There are some instances where its use is mandatory in Spanish but not translated to English.
Prepositional Phrases
Learn how prepositional phrases, also known as compound prepositions, are used in Spanish.
Learn how prepositional phrases, also known as compound prepositions, are used in Spanish.
Using 'Por' and 'Para'
The differences between these two prepositions are sometimes subtle.
The differences between these two prepositions are sometimes subtle.
Preposition 'A'
A is a very common preposition used for a wide variety of purposes.
A is a very common preposition used for a wide variety of purposes.
Using the Preposition 'Hasta'
'Hasta' is a common preposition. This brief lesson describes what it means and gives examples of its use.
'Hasta' is a common preposition. This brief lesson describes what it means and gives examples of its use.
The Preposition 'De'
Learn more about how to use 'de,' the most common prepositions in Spanish. Its most common meanings are "of" and "from," but it is used in other ways as well.
Learn more about how to use 'de,' the most common prepositions in Spanish. Its most common meanings are "of" and "from," but it is used in other ways as well.
The Preposition 'Por'
The Spanish preposition 'por' can be confusing for people new to the language, partly because it has a variety of uses that are translated different ways in Spanish. Here are some guides for its use.
The Spanish preposition 'por' can be confusing for people new to the language, partly because it has a variety of uses that are translated different ways in Spanish. Here are some guides for its use.
Using 'Desde'
The Spanish preposition 'desde' typically means either 'since' or 'from' and is used to indicate motion in space or time from a certain point.
The Spanish preposition 'desde' typically means either 'since' or 'from' and is used to indicate motion in space or time from a certain point.
'Con'
The important thing to keep in mind about con is that it is somewhat more versatile than the English "with," so you will run across many cases where con is used that you probably wouldn't use "with" in English.
The important thing to keep in mind about con is that it is somewhat more versatile than the English "with," so you will run across many cases where con is used that you probably wouldn't use "with" in English.
Using the Preposition 'Entre'
The Spanish preposition 'entre' is usually translated as 'between' or 'among,' although it frequently has other uses as well.
The Spanish preposition 'entre' is usually translated as 'between' or 'among,' although it frequently has other uses as well.
Using 'Según'
The preposition 'según' usually means 'according to' or 'depending on.' However, it is often used in ways that aren't directly translatable to English, as examples in this lesson show.
The preposition 'según' usually means 'according to' or 'depending on.' However, it is often used in ways that aren't directly translatable to English, as examples in this lesson show.
Using the Preposition 'Sobre'
'Sobre' is a common Spanish preposition that has a variety of meanings.
'Sobre' is a common Spanish preposition that has a variety of meanings.
Prepositional Pronouns
Pronouns are very commonly used after prepositions. Here you can learn which pronouns to use, and which prepositions require the use of subject pronouns.
Pronouns are very commonly used after prepositions. Here you can learn which pronouns to use, and which prepositions require the use of subject pronouns.
When Is the Personal 'A' Not Used?
Learn more about how the personal a is used (or not used).
Learn more about how the personal a is used (or not used).
Contra
The Spanish preposition contra is usually the rough equivalent of the English preposition "against."
The Spanish preposition contra is usually the rough equivalent of the English preposition "against."
'Hacia'
Guide to using the preposition hacia along with examples of its usage.
Guide to using the preposition hacia along with examples of its usage.
Using 'A' After Verbs Before Infinitives
Some verbs require the preposition a when used before an infinitive in Spanish. Here is a list of some of the most common such verbs.
Some verbs require the preposition a when used before an infinitive in Spanish. Here is a list of some of the most common such verbs.
The Preposition 'En'
En is usually the equivalent of "on" or "in," but it has other meanings as well.
En is usually the equivalent of "on" or "in," but it has other meanings as well.
The Preposition "Para"
The Spanish preposition 'para' can be confusing for people new to the language. Here are some guides for its use.
The Spanish preposition 'para' can be confusing for people new to the language. Here are some guides for its use.
Differences Between 'De' and 'Desde'
The Spanish prepositions de and desde can both be translated as "from." Learn which one to use.
The Spanish prepositions de and desde can both be translated as "from." Learn which one to use.
Using 'Para' To Say 'In Order To'
Learn how to express the concept of 'in order to' in Spanish using 'para' and other words and phrases.
Learn how to express the concept of 'in order to' in Spanish using 'para' and other words and phrases.
'Sino' and 'Pero'
Both pero and sino mean "but," but they are not interchangeable.
Both pero and sino mean "but," but they are not interchangeable.
Using Infinitives after Prepositions
One of the most common uses of infinitives is as the object of a preposition. When used in such a way, the infinitive is often the rough equivalent of the English gerund, that is, the "-ing" form of the verb, and can be translated in that way.
One of the most common uses of infinitives is as the object of a preposition. When used in such a way, the infinitive is often the rough equivalent of the English gerund, that is, the "-ing" form of the verb, and can be translated in that way.
Prepositions Following 'Hablar'
Learn which prepositions most commonly are used after "hablar," the Spanish verb that means "to speak."
Learn which prepositions most commonly are used after "hablar," the Spanish verb that means "to speak."
'Gustar' and the Personal 'A'
Want to know how to structure a sentence using gustar and the personal a? Here's how.
Want to know how to structure a sentence using gustar and the personal a? Here's how.
'Detrás' vs. 'Atrás'
Although both detrás and atrás are adverbs that can be translated as "behind" and are often listed as synonyms, they tend to be used in different ways.
Although both detrás and atrás are adverbs that can be translated as "behind" and are often listed as synonyms, they tend to be used in different ways.
'Entre' Takes Subject Pronouns as Objects
The Spanish pronoun entre doesn't use the prepopsitional pronouns you might expect.
The Spanish pronoun entre doesn't use the prepopsitional pronouns you might expect.
Which Preposition Goes with 'Reírse'?
It may seem arbitrary, but de is the preposition of choice to use with Reírse.
It may seem arbitrary, but de is the preposition of choice to use with Reírse.
'Al' Followed by an Infinitive
In Spanish, using the contraction 'al' followed by an infinitive is a very common way of indicating when something happens.
In Spanish, using the contraction 'al' followed by an infinitive is a very common way of indicating when something happens.
Tras
Learn how to use the Spanish preposition tras, which often means "after" or "behind."
Learn how to use the Spanish preposition tras, which often means "after" or "behind."
'Cuando' as a Preposition
When used as a preposition, cuando can often be translated as "during" or "at the time of."
When used as a preposition, cuando can often be translated as "during" or "at the time of."
Prepositional Object Pronouns
Prepositions in Spanish need an object to be complete. That object can be pronoun.
Prepositions in Spanish need an object to be complete. That object can be pronoun.