To, From, By, etc.: Prepositions

Prepositions are words that help explain the relationship between one word and another, usually a noun or pronoun.

Spanish prepositions work very similarly to English prepositions, but very often do not translate exactly.

Here is a list of the most important prepositions:

  • a -- to, at, by means of
    antes de -- before
    bajo-- under
    cerca de -- near
    con -- with
    contra -- against
    de -- of, from, indicating possession
    delante de -- in front of
    dentro de -- inside
    desde -- since, from
    después de -- after
    detrás de -- behind
    durante -- during
    en -- in, on
    encima de -- on top of
    enfrente de -- in front of
    entre -- beween
    fuera de -- outside of
    hacia -- toward
    hasta -- until
    para -- for, in order to
    por -- for, by según according to
    sin -- without
    sobre -- over, about
    tras -- after, behind


Prepositions are words that help explain the relationship between one word and another, usually a noun or pronoun.


Very often, Spanish uses a different preposition than English when expressing the same idea:

  • Depende de Juan.
    It depends on Juan.

    Se casa con Eva.
    He's getting married to Eva.

Sometimes meanings overlap:

  • Está en/encima de la mesa.
    It's on the top of the table.

    Está en el escritorio.
    It's in/on the desk.
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