1.2.1 Prepositions - an introduction
Prepositions indicate the relationship between objects
a as a local prepositions
a indicating the indirect object
a used for giving the time
Some verbs use the a for appending an infinitive
a in certain phrases
a as a local prepositions
a indicating the indirect object
a used for giving the time
Some verbs use the a for appending an infinitive
a in certain phrases
The lamp is above the table.
The lamp is on the table.
The lamp is on the table.
As you can see the preposition shows the relationship between the table and the lamp. There are many, many prepositions (in English by the way around 160), but we want to present only the most common and the most problematic ones. Problematic are some of the prepositions because you can't translate them 1:1; so there are many meanings for only one prepositions.
One of the most common prepositions in language is a. It can be used in a wide variety of situations. For instance as a local prepositions it means to, at.
Voy a Italia. = I go to Italy
Vamos al cine. = We go to the movies.
La playa está a 500 m del hotel. = The beach is at 500 m from the hotel.
Vamos al cine. = We go to the movies.
La playa está a 500 m del hotel. = The beach is at 500 m from the hotel.
As we have seen already the preposition a is also used to indicate an indirect object (meaning to)or a direct object if it's a person or a object (to which we have a close relationship).
Doy el libro a Juan. (Juan is indirect object, dativo ) = I give the book to Juan.
Veo a Juan. (Juan is direct object, accusativo) = I see Juan.
Veo a Juan. (Juan is direct object, accusativo) = I see Juan.
Example: (ir, aprender etc.)
Vamos a comer. = We go to eat.
Aprendo a jugar ajedrez. = I learn to play check.
Mirad a la izquierda.
= Look at the left side.
Mira a la derecha.
= Look at the right side.
Si nos damos prisa vamos a llegar a tiempo.
= If we hurry we are going to be on time.
Es mentira lo que dice, fue al revés.
= It's a lie what he says, it was the other way around.
Desayunamos al aire libre.
= We have breakfast outside.
Esta alfombra está hecha a mano.
= This carpet was made by hand.
A través de este libro comprendí la vida.
= Through this book I understood life.
A pesar del hecho que es pobre es una persona amable y generosa.
= Beside the fact that he is poor, he is a friendly and generous person.
= Look at the left side.
Mira a la derecha.
= Look at the right side.
Si nos damos prisa vamos a llegar a tiempo.
= If we hurry we are going to be on time.
Es mentira lo que dice, fue al revés.
= It's a lie what he says, it was the other way around.
Desayunamos al aire libre.
= We have breakfast outside.
Esta alfombra está hecha a mano.
= This carpet was made by hand.
A través de este libro comprendí la vida.
= Through this book I understood life.
A pesar del hecho que es pobre es una persona amable y generosa.
= Beside the fact that he is poor, he is a friendly and generous person.
1.2.2 en
en can mean in, on, to, at
Estoyen el jardín. = I'm inthe garden.
Pon la taza en la mesa.= Put the cup onthe table.
Díselo en lacara. = Tell him tothe face.
En la pared habíauna foto de una mujer. = Atthe wall was a foto of a woman.
¿Lo dices enserio o estás bromeando? = Youmean this seriously or are you kidding me?
En invierno vamos aSuiza para esquiar. = Inwinter we go to Switzerland to ski.
En verano suele hacercalor. = Insummer it's usually warm.
Pon la taza en la mesa.= Put the cup onthe table.
Díselo en lacara. = Tell him tothe face.
En la pared habíauna foto de una mujer. = Atthe wall was a foto of a woman.
¿Lo dices enserio o estás bromeando? = Youmean this seriously or are you kidding me?
En invierno vamos aSuiza para esquiar. = Inwinter we go to Switzerland to ski.
En verano suele hacercalor. = Insummer it's usually warm.
en used with modes of transportation
In English the most common preposition for modes transportation is by.
He comes by train.
I go by bus to school.
We go by plane to the Carribbean.
She goes by car, while he goes by bike.
I go by bus to school.
We go by plane to the Carribbean.
She goes by car, while he goes by bike.
In the preposition of your choice should be en.
Vamosa Italia en coche.
= We go by car to Italy.
Martinaha venido en avión.
= Martina has come by plane.
Nos fuimos en bicicleta al centro de la ciudad.
= Wir fuhren mit dem Fahrrad ins Stadtzentrum.
= We go by car to Italy.
Martinaha venido en avión.
= Martina has come by plane.
Nos fuimos en bicicleta al centro de la ciudad.
= Wir fuhren mit dem Fahrrad ins Stadtzentrum.
A horse is not a mode of transportation in the mind of speaking people (not anymore). Therefore the right preposition is a:
Vinieron a caballo, y guiados por la estrella llegaron al pesebre para adorar al niño.
= They came on horseback, and guided by the star arrived at the crib to admire the child.
= They came on horseback, and guided by the star arrived at the crib to admire the child.
1.2.3 por
por
Expression of reason, motif, attitude or intent: por
Expression of reason, motif, attitude or intent: para
Stating facts: para
Stating facts or expression of attitude?
Tool, means, local definition
Timely definition
Stating prices
Substitution, changes, mixingthings
Expression of reason, motif, attitude or intent: por
Expression of reason, motif, attitude or intent: para
Stating facts: para
Stating facts or expression of attitude?
Tool, means, local definition
Timely definition
Stating prices
Substitution, changes, mixingthings
Quite often por can be translated as by. Sometimesit's not that easy therefore it's useful to rememberthat por indicatesa motive, an attitude, a reason, a time frame, a notdefined place, a tool or the intend. Furthermore keepin mind that por indicates the originator of the action.
One could say that in the majority of the cases a motif or a reason is given with the preposition for. In some cases the construct their sentences completely different and there is no direct translation.
motif = for (mostly)
Lo hace por mí.
= He does it for me.
Si fuera por tí, el mundo entero estuviera como tu papá, bien educado y aburrido.
= If it was for you the world would be like your Dad, well educated and boring.
No le regalaron nada. Siempre tenía que luchar por lo que quería.
= They didn't give him anything for free. Always he had to fight for what he wanted.
¿Es ingenuo luchar por la paz?
= Is it naive to fight for peace?
La prensa sigue insistiendo en que sólo se casó por el dinero.
= The press insists that he only married for the money.
El trabaja por el dinero.
= He works for the money.
Por mí puede terminar ahora mismo.
= I do not mind if you stop right now.
= He does it for me.
Si fuera por tí, el mundo entero estuviera como tu papá, bien educado y aburrido.
= If it was for you the world would be like your Dad, well educated and boring.
No le regalaron nada. Siempre tenía que luchar por lo que quería.
= They didn't give him anything for free. Always he had to fight for what he wanted.
¿Es ingenuo luchar por la paz?
= Is it naive to fight for peace?
La prensa sigue insistiendo en que sólo se casó por el dinero.
= The press insists that he only married for the money.
El trabaja por el dinero.
= He works for the money.
Por mí puede terminar ahora mismo.
= I do not mind if you stop right now.
reason = because of
La gente no entiende que es por la inflación que se están volviendo más pobres.
= People do not understand that they become poorer because of the inflation.
Por el accidente no pudo venir.
= Because of the accident he couldn't come.
Por la marea mucha gente ha perdido su casa.
= Because of the flood many people lost their home.
= People do not understand that they become poorer because of the inflation.
Por el accidente no pudo venir.
= Because of the accident he couldn't come.
Por la marea mucha gente ha perdido su casa.
= Because of the flood many people lost their home.
If the reason, the motif, the attitude or the intend described by an infinitive verb the preposition is para. The translation then is to.
La gente viene solo para comer.
= People only come to eat.
Lo hace para no gastar tanto dinero.
= He does it, not to spend so much money.
Si fuera solo para comer una paella no tenemos que ir a España.
= If it was only to eat Paella we do not have to go to Spain.
Vivir para ser libres y luchar para dejar de ser esclavas.
= Live to be free and fight to stop being slaves.
La juventud está dispuesta a luchar para defender su sexualidad.
= Youth is willing to fight for the defence of their sexuality.
¿Cuánto paga para obtener un buen servicio?
= How much do you pay to receive a good service?
¿Cuánto paga para almacenar los datos?
= How much do you pay to save the data?
El trabaja para ganar dinero.
= We works to earn money.
= People only come to eat.
Lo hace para no gastar tanto dinero.
= He does it, not to spend so much money.
Si fuera solo para comer una paella no tenemos que ir a España.
= If it was only to eat Paella we do not have to go to Spain.
Vivir para ser libres y luchar para dejar de ser esclavas.
= Live to be free and fight to stop being slaves.
La juventud está dispuesta a luchar para defender su sexualidad.
= Youth is willing to fight for the defence of their sexuality.
¿Cuánto paga para obtener un buen servicio?
= How much do you pay to receive a good service?
¿Cuánto paga para almacenar los datos?
= How much do you pay to save the data?
El trabaja para ganar dinero.
= We works to earn money.
Comparison por and para (por + noun = for / because of; para + infinitive = to)
Lo hace por el dinero. = He does it for (because of) the money.
Lo hace para comer. = He does it to eat.
Trabaja por su familia. = He works for his family.
Trabaja para ganar dinero. = He works to earn money.
¿Cuánto pagas por el libro? = How much do you pay for the book?
¿Cuánto paga para limpiar el sistema? = How much do you pay to clean the system?
Lo hacemos por gusto. = We do it for the fun.
Lo hacemos para divertirnos. = We do it to amuse ourselves.
Lo hace para comer. = He does it to eat.
Trabaja por su familia. = He works for his family.
Trabaja para ganar dinero. = He works to earn money.
¿Cuánto pagas por el libro? = How much do you pay for the book?
¿Cuánto paga para limpiar el sistema? = How much do you pay to clean the system?
Lo hacemos por gusto. = We do it for the fun.
Lo hacemos para divertirnos. = We do it to amuse ourselves.
If stating a fact without an influence of attitude to this fact the preposition to be used is para.
Un pacifista trabaja para el Pentágono.
= A pacifist works for the Pentagon.. (stating a fact)
but:
Un pacifista trabaja por el Pentágono.
= A pacifist works because of the Pentagon..(Motif)
El trabaja para una empresa italiana.
= He works for an Italian firm. (stating a fact)
but:
El trabaja por una empresa italiana.
= He works because of an Italian firm. (Motif)
Lo hacemos para un cliente nuestro.
= We do it for one of our clients. (stating a fact)
aber:
Lo hacemos por un cliente nuestro.
= We do it because of one of our clients..(stating a fact)
= A pacifist works for the Pentagon.. (stating a fact)
but:
Un pacifista trabaja por el Pentágono.
= A pacifist works because of the Pentagon..(Motif)
El trabaja para una empresa italiana.
= He works for an Italian firm. (stating a fact)
but:
El trabaja por una empresa italiana.
= He works because of an Italian firm. (Motif)
Lo hacemos para un cliente nuestro.
= We do it for one of our clients. (stating a fact)
aber:
Lo hacemos por un cliente nuestro.
= We do it because of one of our clients..(stating a fact)
The difference is now clearer between por (for, because of = meaning a reason) and para (for = stating a fact).
Sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether it is just a statement of facts or an expression of attitude. Then both alternatives are possible and it is just up to you which one to use.
Lo hago por tí. = I do it because of you.
Lo hago para tí.= I do it for you.
Lo hago para tí.= I do it for you.
Un equipo que trabaja para Usted. = A team that works for you.
Un equipo que trabaja por Usted. = A team that works for (because of) you.
Trabaja por la revolución democrática, antiimperialista.
= He works for the democratic, anti-imperialistic revolution.
La izquierda trabaja para la revolución que no cree posible.
= The left wing works for the revolution that they do not believe to be possible.
When describing tools, means or local definitions por means by or through.
Lo supe por el canal de noticias CNN.
= I have heard in the news channel CNN.
Lo que ocurrió luego, lo supe por el relato de mi madre.
= What happened then I heard through the report of my mother.
Lo conocí por ti.
= I met him through you.
Lástima que me enteré por otros medios y no por Usted.
= It's a pity that I heard through other means and not through you.
Esto lo tienes que aprender por ti mismo.
= You have to learn this by yourself.
Subieron los escalones y entraron por la puerta.
= They came up the stairs and came in through the door.
Iban por el desierto.
= They went through the desert.
Hacía tres días que andaba por el bosque y había perdido la noción del tiempo.
= For three days, he went through the woods and lost his sense of time.
Hemos dado una vuelta por la ciudad.
= We had a walk through the town.
= I have heard in the news channel CNN.
Lo que ocurrió luego, lo supe por el relato de mi madre.
= What happened then I heard through the report of my mother.
Lo conocí por ti.
= I met him through you.
Lástima que me enteré por otros medios y no por Usted.
= It's a pity that I heard through other means and not through you.
Esto lo tienes que aprender por ti mismo.
= You have to learn this by yourself.
Subieron los escalones y entraron por la puerta.
= They came up the stairs and came in through the door.
Iban por el desierto.
= They went through the desert.
Hacía tres días que andaba por el bosque y había perdido la noción del tiempo.
= For three days, he went through the woods and lost his sense of time.
Hemos dado una vuelta por la ciudad.
= We had a walk through the town.
por for local definition
¿Dónde está mi monedero? Está por ahí.
= Where is my wallet? It is somewhere there.
Vamos a Madrid pasando por Barcelona.
= We go to Madrid through Barcelona.
= Where is my wallet? It is somewhere there.
Vamos a Madrid pasando por Barcelona.
= We go to Madrid through Barcelona.
Por la mañana suele trabajar.
= In the morning I usually work.
Por la tarde hace tanto calor que no se puede salir de casa.
= In the afternoon it's so hot that one can't leave the house.
= In the morning I usually work.
Por la tarde hace tanto calor que no se puede salir de casa.
= In the afternoon it's so hot that one can't leave the house.
Before prices the preposition por is used.
Te lo doy por 400 €. = I give it to you for 400 €.
¿Me lo vendes por 100 €? = Do you sell it to me for 100 €?
Pagé 200 € por este libro. = I paid 200 € for this book.
¿Me lo vendes por 100 €? = Do you sell it to me for 100 €?
Pagé 200 € por este libro. = I paid 200 € for this book.
Pues no es legal, pero puedo firmar por él.
= It's not legal but I can sign for (instead of) him.
Le tomaron por otra persona.
= They took him for somebody else.
Puedes cambiar esta camisa azul por la amarilla.
= You can change this blue shirt for this yellow one.
= It's not legal but I can sign for (instead of) him.
Le tomaron por otra persona.
= They took him for somebody else.
Puedes cambiar esta camisa azul por la amarilla.
= You can change this blue shirt for this yellow one.
1.2.4 de
de
de means of and from and is used with some adverbs
de forms the genitive (= of)
de means from
de in adverbial constructions
de and por
de means of and from and is used with some adverbs
de forms the genitive (= of)
de means from
de in adverbial constructions
de and por
¿De dónde vienes? = Where are you from?
Esta madera viene del Brasil. = This wood comes from Brazil.
El perro de Baskerville. = The dog of Baskerville
Una olla sin tapa consume más del doble del calor que uno tapado.
= A pan without a cover consumes more than double (of) the heat than one covered.
Esta madera viene del Brasil. = This wood comes from Brazil.
El perro de Baskerville. = The dog of Baskerville
Una olla sin tapa consume más del doble del calor que uno tapado.
= A pan without a cover consumes more than double (of) the heat than one covered.
de forms the genitive (saying whose something is). It is translated directly as of.
In this case, the translation is not of, but a genitive.
In this case, the translation is not of, but a genitive.
El techo de la casa es verde. = The roof of the house is green.
Abrieron la puerta de mi casa por la fuerza. = They opened the door of my house by force.
Abrieron la puerta de mi casa por la fuerza. = They opened the door of my house by force.
Esta mesa es de madera. = This table is made of wood.
Estos coches vienen del Japón. = These cars come from Japan.
Estos coches vienen del Japón. = These cars come from Japan.
Some adverbial constructions are formed with de.
Lo aprende de memoria.
= She learns it by heart. (de memoria = by heart)
Comimos de prisa porque el tren iba a partir en cinco minutos.
= We ate in a hurry because the train was leaving in five minutes. (de prisa = in a hurry)
Me muero de risa.
= I laugh myself to death. (de risa = laughing)
Me muero de hambre.
= I starve to death.
= She learns it by heart. (de memoria = by heart)
Comimos de prisa porque el tren iba a partir en cinco minutos.
= We ate in a hurry because the train was leaving in five minutes. (de prisa = in a hurry)
Me muero de risa.
= I laugh myself to death. (de risa = laughing)
Me muero de hambre.
= I starve to death.
Sometimes the preposition de is used when giving a reason.
Gritaron de dolor. = They screamed with pain.
No pudimos dormir por el calor que hacía. = We could not sleep because of the heat.
No pudimos dormir por el calor que hacía. = We could not sleep because of the heat.
1.2.5 para
The preposition para means mostly for.
Esta llave es para aquella puerta. = This key is for that door.
Este regalo es para Jaime. = This gift is for Jaime
Este regalo es para Jaime. = This gift is for Jaime
In exceptions it means also to. These exceptions are
para meaning direction (to, towards)
para in infinitive constructions
para meaning direction (to, towards)
para in infinitive constructions
In sentences that use for, to or towards as prepositions of direction it is para in Spanish.
Le apresaron en un barco que partía para Argentina.
= They imprisoned him in a boat that left for (towards) Argentina.
Cirujanos militares checos partieron para Afganistán.
= Czech military surgeons left for (towards) Afghanistan.
Todos los que se van para el infierno es porque no lo saben.
= All that go towards hell do it because of not knowing.
Seis batallones van para la frontera.
= Six battalions go towards the front.
¿Por qué Intel se va para Malaysia?
= Why does Intel go to Malaysia?
= They imprisoned him in a boat that left for (towards) Argentina.
Cirujanos militares checos partieron para Afganistán.
= Czech military surgeons left for (towards) Afghanistan.
Todos los que se van para el infierno es porque no lo saben.
= All that go towards hell do it because of not knowing.
Seis batallones van para la frontera.
= Six battalions go towards the front.
¿Por qué Intel se va para Malaysia?
= Why does Intel go to Malaysia?
In these constructions para can be substituted by hacia
El tren partió hacia (para) Malaga.
= The train left for (towards) Malaga.
Las tropas se metieron en marcha hacia (para) el Iraq.
= The troops set off for (towards) Iraq.
= The train left for (towards) Malaga.
Las tropas se metieron en marcha hacia (para) el Iraq.
= The troops set off for (towards) Iraq.
Note that these three sentences do not have the same meaning.
Vamos a Italia. = We go to Italy.
Vamos para Italia. = We go towards Italy.
Vamos hasta Italia. = We go until Italy.
Vamos para Italia. = We go towards Italy.
Vamos hasta Italia. = We go until Italy.
Para preparar una torta se necesita por lo menos harina.
= You need at least some flour to bake a cake .
Para saber si funciona hay que hacerlo.
= You need to do it to know whether it works.
Para vivir bien se necesita un poco dinero.
= You need some money to live well..
= You need at least some flour to bake a cake .
Para saber si funciona hay que hacerlo.
= You need to do it to know whether it works.
Para vivir bien se necesita un poco dinero.
= You need some money to live well..
para is used in infinitive constructions that tell what to do, is needed, is wanted etc. to do, to get, to achieve something else.
1.2.6 con
con (conmigo, contigo, consigo)
Actually con is a rather simple preposition. It simply means with.
Me lo dijo con una sonrisa. = He said to me with a smile.
Viajo a Italia con ellos. = I travel with them to Italy.
Vivimos con él en Argentina. = We lived with him in Argentina.
Viajo a Italia con ellos. = I travel with them to Italy.
Vivimos con él en Argentina. = We lived with him in Argentina.
conmigo, contigo, consigo
There are some special forms for combinations with con and a personal pronoun singular.
Si no vas conmigo, me voy sólo. = If you do not go with me, I go alone.
Contigo me iría hasta a la luna. = Together with you I would go to the moon.
Él no está my contento consigo. = He is not content with himself.
Contigo me iría hasta a la luna. = Together with you I would go to the moon.
Él no está my contento consigo. = He is not content with himself.
1.2.7 contra
Again here we have a simple preposition. Contra means against.
El coche se estrelló contra el muro.
= The car crashed against the wall.
Lucharon por tres horas contra el viento, pero al fin abandonaron.
= They fought for three hours against the wind, but in the end they gave up.
Contra su estupidez no se puede hacer nada.
= There is nothing you can do against is stubbornness.
Es absurdo estar contra la globalización.
= It's absurd to be against globalisation.
= The car crashed against the wall.
Lucharon por tres horas contra el viento, pero al fin abandonaron.
= They fought for three hours against the wind, but in the end they gave up.
Contra su estupidez no se puede hacer nada.
= There is nothing you can do against is stubbornness.
Es absurdo estar contra la globalización.
= It's absurd to be against globalisation.
1.2.8 bajo, debajo
bajo = under, in a figurative sense
Bajo la dictadura de Somoza toda la riqueza del país iba a los bolsillos de pocos.
= Under the dictatorship of Somoza all the wealth went to the pockets of very few.
Bajo su reinado las ciencias florecieron.
= Under his control sciences flourished.
Bajo estas condiciones no se puede estudiar.
= Under this circumstance it's not possible to study.
= Under the dictatorship of Somoza all the wealth went to the pockets of very few.
Bajo su reinado las ciencias florecieron.
= Under his control sciences flourished.
Bajo estas condiciones no se puede estudiar.
= Under this circumstance it's not possible to study.
debajo = under, in a local sense
Tu monedero está debajo de la silla.
= Your wallet is under the chair.
Los libros estan debajo de la mesa.
= The books are under the table.
= Your wallet is under the chair.
Los libros estan debajo de la mesa.
= The books are under the table.
1.2.9 ante, antes, delante de
ante means the face of something
antes means before in a timely sense
delante means before or in front of in a local sense
antes means before in a timely sense
delante means before or in front of in a local sense
ante= in the face of something
Ante la muerte los hombres suelen tener miedo.
= In the face of death men are usually afraid.
Ante la muchedumbre, se desanimó.
= In the face of the crowd he lost his heart.
Ante el peligro, se quedo tranquilo.
= In the face of the danger he stayed calm.
= In the face of death men are usually afraid.
Ante la muchedumbre, se desanimó.
= In the face of the crowd he lost his heart.
Ante el peligro, se quedo tranquilo.
= In the face of the danger he stayed calm.
antes = before (in a timely sense)
Quiero que estés en casa antes de las diez.
= I want you to be home before ten.
¿Me lo dices antes de que venga él?
= Do you tell me before he comes?
¿No habrías podido decirmelo antes?
= Couldn't you have told me before?
= I want you to be home before ten.
¿Me lo dices antes de que venga él?
= Do you tell me before he comes?
¿No habrías podido decirmelo antes?
= Couldn't you have told me before?
delante de = in front of
Mi coche esta aparcado delante de la casa.
= My car is parked in front of the house.
Delante de la tienda hay un hombre raro.
= In front of the shop, there is a strange guy.
Las gafas están delante de tus ojos.
= The glasses are in front of your eyes.
= My car is parked in front of the house.
Delante de la tienda hay un hombre raro.
= In front of the shop, there is a strange guy.
Las gafas están delante de tus ojos.
= The glasses are in front of your eyes.
1.2.10 entre
Entre is an easy one and means between in a timely sense as well as in a local sense.
Colgaron la hamaca entre los árboles.
= They hang the hammock between the trees.
Paso por tu casa entre las dos y tres de la tarde.
= I come by between two and three (o'clock).
Pon la silla entre la mesa y la lámpara.
= Put the chair between the table and the lamp.
Entre la filosofía de Hegel y la de Kant hay diferencias enormes.
= Between the philosophy of Hegel and of Kant are enormous differences.
Vino entre las nueve y las diez de la mañana.
= He came between nine and ten a.m.
Entre tú y yo no hay problemas.
= There are no problems between you and me.
= They hang the hammock between the trees.
Paso por tu casa entre las dos y tres de la tarde.
= I come by between two and three (o'clock).
Pon la silla entre la mesa y la lámpara.
= Put the chair between the table and the lamp.
Entre la filosofía de Hegel y la de Kant hay diferencias enormes.
= Between the philosophy of Hegel and of Kant are enormous differences.
Vino entre las nueve y las diez de la mañana.
= He came between nine and ten a.m.
Entre tú y yo no hay problemas.
= There are no problems between you and me.
1.2.11 hacia
hacia is used when a place or a time is described in a vague manner. It can be translated with towards if used in a local sense. Then the preposition para or in dirección a could be used as well. If hacia is used in a timely sense it means around or approximately can be substituted by alrededor de.
hacia = towards
Se pusieron en marcha hacia Francia.
= They set off towards France.
Se pusieron en marcha para Francia.
= They set off towards France.
Se pusieron en marcha en dirección a Francia.
= They set off towards France.
Iban hacia el bosque hasta que encontraron al enano.
= They went towards the woods until they met the dwarf.
= They set off towards France.
Se pusieron en marcha para Francia.
= They set off towards France.
Se pusieron en marcha en dirección a Francia.
= They set off towards France.
Iban hacia el bosque hasta que encontraron al enano.
= They went towards the woods until they met the dwarf.
hacia = around (timely sense)
Paso por tu casa hacia las tres de la tarde.
= Around three I'll come by your house.
Paso por tu casa alrededor de las tres de la tarde.
= Around three I'll come by your house.
= Around three I'll come by your house.
Paso por tu casa alrededor de las tres de la tarde.
= Around three I'll come by your house.
1.2.12 hasta
hasta means until and can be used in a local as well as in a timely sense.
hasta meaning until in a local sense
Entonces sigues andando hasta el pueblo y verás la iglesia.
= Then you continue until the village and you'll see the church.
= Then you continue until the village and you'll see the church.
hasta meaning until in a timely sense
hasta la vista
= until we see again
hasta mañana
= until tomorrow
Hasta que se de cuenta que le engañaron pasará por lo menos una semana.
= Until he notices that he was deceived passes at least a week.
= until we see again
hasta mañana
= until tomorrow
Hasta que se de cuenta que le engañaron pasará por lo menos una semana.
= Until he notices that he was deceived passes at least a week.
Note that hasta can also mean even in some constructions.
hasta meaning even
Hasta él se va a dar cuenta que quieres engañarle.
= Even he will notice that you want to deceive him.
= Even he will notice that you want to deceive him.
1.2.13 desde, hace, desde hace
desde
desde is used to indicate a point of time or location. In the meaning of time it can be translated with since.
desde in a timely sense = since
Desde el año 1970 trabaja en Francia.
= He has worked in France since 1970.
Desde que se enteró que le habían engañado no habló más con ellos.
= Since he had noticed that they had deceived him he didn't talk to them anymore.
= He has worked in France since 1970.
Desde que se enteró que le habían engañado no habló más con ellos.
= Since he had noticed that they had deceived him he didn't talk to them anymore.
In the local sense, desde means from.
desde in a local sense = from
Desde mi ventana podía verla.
= I could see her from my window.
Viendo la cosa desde afuera parece una cosa de niños.
= Looking from the outside it seems something childish.
Desde Madrid cada cinco minutos salen trenes con destino a Alcalá.
= From Madrid trains leave to Alcalá every five minutes.
Desde la torre se ve la ciudad desde arriba.
= From the tower you can see the town below.
= I could see her from my window.
Viendo la cosa desde afuera parece una cosa de niños.
= Looking from the outside it seems something childish.
Desde Madrid cada cinco minutos salen trenes con destino a Alcalá.
= From Madrid trains leave to Alcalá every five minutes.
Desde la torre se ve la ciudad desde arriba.
= From the tower you can see the town below.
Aqui puedes aprender JavaScript desde cero.
= Here you can learn JavaScript from cero.
Desde la altura de sus principios morales todo el mundo le pareció vil y tonto.
= From the height of his principles the world seemed mean and stupid.
= Here you can learn JavaScript from cero.
Desde la altura de sus principios morales todo el mundo le pareció vil y tonto.
= From the height of his principles the world seemed mean and stupid.
Desde is used when the starting point of an action is exactly known and the event is still going on until the present time or some certain point of time (that is known as well). If the end of the event is not mentioned desde just means since. If the total period is mentioned it is from ... to.
Vivo en Madrid desde el año pasado.
= I live Madrid since last year.
Desde 1980 no fumo más.
= Since 1980 I do not smoke anymore.
Estuve en Paris desde agosto hasta noviembre.
= I was in Paris from August until (to) November.
= I live Madrid since last year.
Desde 1980 no fumo más.
= Since 1980 I do not smoke anymore.
Estuve en Paris desde agosto hasta noviembre.
= I was in Paris from August until (to) November.
hace is a preposition that doesn't have a counterpart in English. The English construction is: It has been a time that ... It means that the start of an action is known and the action doesn't go on anymore
hace = it has been ... that
Hace una semana me escribió una carta.
= It's been a week that he wrote this letter to me. (action is finished, doesn't go on anymore)
Hace un año me mudé a Londres.
= It's been a year that I moved to London. (the move is done, I live in London, end of story)
= It's been a week that he wrote this letter to me. (action is finished, doesn't go on anymore)
Hace un año me mudé a Londres.
= It's been a year that I moved to London. (the move is done, I live in London, end of story)
desde in a span of time (desde hace = for)
Vivo en Londres desde hace diez años.
= I have been living in London for ten years.
Desde hace tres semanas le estoy diciendo que tiene que ir al médico.
= I have been telling him for three weeks that he has to go to the doctor.
Desde hace una semana me escribe una carta cada día.
= He has been writing me a letter every day for the last week. (It is still going on)
= I have been living in London for ten years.
Desde hace tres semanas le estoy diciendo que tiene que ir al médico.
= I have been telling him for three weeks that he has to go to the doctor.
Desde hace una semana me escribe una carta cada día.
= He has been writing me a letter every day for the last week. (It is still going on)
hace is to be conjugated
Hace ya tres años que se murió su esposa.
= It has been already three years that his wife died.
hace is a verb that changes with tenses
Hacía ya tres años que se había muerto su esposa cuando se casó de nuevo.
= It had been already three years that his wife had died when he remarried.
= It has been already three years that his wife died.
hace is a verb that changes with tenses
Hacía ya tres años que se había muerto su esposa cuando se casó de nuevo.
= It had been already three years that his wife had died when he remarried.
desde hace is used when a time span is expressed and the action is still ongoing. Such constructions can be also described with desde hace or hace .... que.
Vivo en Londres desde hace diez años.
alternatively:
Hace diez años que vivo en Londres.
= I have been living in London for 10 years.
alternatively:
= It's been 10 years that I live in London.
Desde hace tres semanas le estoy diciendo que tiene que ir al médico.
alternatively:
Hace tres semanas que le estoy diciendo que tiene irse al medico.
= I have been telling him that he has to go to the doctor for three weeks.
alternatively:
= It's been three weeks that I have been telling him that he has to go to the doctor.
alternatively:
Hace diez años que vivo en Londres.
= I have been living in London for 10 years.
alternatively:
= It's been 10 years that I live in London.
Desde hace tres semanas le estoy diciendo que tiene que ir al médico.
alternatively:
Hace tres semanas que le estoy diciendo que tiene irse al medico.
= I have been telling him that he has to go to the doctor for three weeks.
alternatively:
= It's been three weeks that I have been telling him that he has to go to the doctor.
1.2.14 a través de = through (meaning: with the aid of something)
Viaje a lo largo de la historia de las Matemáticas a través de fotografías.
= Voyage through the history of mathematics through fotographs.
A través de los años se dió cuenta que su marido es un ser inculto, primitivo.
= Through the years she noticed that her husband was an uneducated and primitive human being.
Cursos a distancia a través de Internet.
= Distant courses through the internet.
A través de este portal los estudiantes pueden comunicar entre ellos desde cualquier lugar.
= Through this portal, the students can communicate from every place in the world.
Hoy la gran mayoría de informaciones es distribuida a través del internet.
= Today most of the information is distributed through the internet.
= Voyage through the history of mathematics through fotographs.
A través de los años se dió cuenta que su marido es un ser inculto, primitivo.
= Through the years she noticed that her husband was an uneducated and primitive human being.
Cursos a distancia a través de Internet.
= Distant courses through the internet.
A través de este portal los estudiantes pueden comunicar entre ellos desde cualquier lugar.
= Through this portal, the students can communicate from every place in the world.
Hoy la gran mayoría de informaciones es distribuida a través del internet.
= Today most of the information is distributed through the internet.
1.2.15 cerca (de)
cerca (de) is a preposition that has a clear counterpart in English: close (to).
Cerca de mi casa hay un bosque.
= Close to my home there is a forest.
Vive cerca de Nueva York .
= He lives close to New York.
Lo que está cerca no está lejos.
= What is close is not far.
= Close to my home there is a forest.
Vive cerca de Nueva York .
= He lives close to New York.
Lo que está cerca no está lejos.
= What is close is not far.
1.2.17 en frente, al frente
en frente = across the street, opposite
En frente del café vi un hombre con gafas oscuras.
= I saw a man with dark glasses across the street opposite the café.
En frente de la casa hay un pequeño pero hermoso parque.
= There is a small, but beautiful park across the street opposite to the house.
= I saw a man with dark glasses across the street opposite the café.
En frente de la casa hay un pequeño pero hermoso parque.
= There is a small, but beautiful park across the street opposite to the house.
al frente = "in the lead", at the front
Libia está al frente de la comisión de derechos humanos de la ONU.
= Libya is in the lead of the UN commission for human rights.
La sala de estar está ubicadoa al frente de la casa con vista al océano.
= The living room is at the front of the house with view to the ocean.
= Libya is in the lead of the UN commission for human rights.
La sala de estar está ubicadoa al frente de la casa con vista al océano.
= The living room is at the front of the house with view to the ocean.
1.2.18 junto a, al lado de
junto a and al lado de are again one of the prepositions with alternative counterparts, meaning next to, beside, at the side of
Junto a la casa había un arbol.
= Next to the house was a tree.
alternatively:
Al lado de la casa había un arbol.
= Next to the house was a tree.
Luchó junto a Bolívar por la independencia de latinoamérica.
= He fought beside Bolivar for the independency of Latin America.
alternatively:
Luchó al lado de Bolívar por la independencia de latinoamérica.
= He fought at the side of Bolivar for the independency of Latin America.
= Next to the house was a tree.
alternatively:
Al lado de la casa había un arbol.
= Next to the house was a tree.
Luchó junto a Bolívar por la independencia de latinoamérica.
= He fought beside Bolivar for the independency of Latin America.
alternatively:
Luchó al lado de Bolívar por la independencia de latinoamérica.
= He fought at the side of Bolivar for the independency of Latin America.
1.2.19 durante = during
Durante estos años estudiaba inglés. = During these years he learned English.
1.2.20 gracias a = thanks to
Gracias a él vivo todavía. = Thanks to him he is still alive.
1.2.21 menos = except, besides
Todos menos él estuvieron contentos. = All except (besides) him were content.
1.2.22 según = according to
Según lo que ha dicho ya no hay dinero. = According to what he has said there is no money.
1.2.23 tras, detrás de, después de = after, behind
tras can have a timely sense. Then it is translated with after. If it is used in a timely sense it can be substituted by después de.
Tras el desayuno vamos a dar una vuelta por la ciudad.
= After breakfast we are going to have a walk through the town.
alternatively:
Después del desayuno vamos a dar una vuelta por la ciudad.
= After breakfast we are going to have a walk through the town.
tras can also have a local meaning. Then it is to be translated with behind. If used so it can be substituted by detrás de.
Tras la casa hay un jardín muy bonito.
= Behind the house there is a very nice garden.
alternatively:
Detrás de la casa hay un jardín muy bonito.
= Behind the house there is a very nice garden.
Tras el desayuno vamos a dar una vuelta por la ciudad.
= After breakfast we are going to have a walk through the town.
alternatively:
Después del desayuno vamos a dar una vuelta por la ciudad.
= After breakfast we are going to have a walk through the town.
tras can also have a local meaning. Then it is to be translated with behind. If used so it can be substituted by detrás de.
Tras la casa hay un jardín muy bonito.
= Behind the house there is a very nice garden.
alternatively:
Detrás de la casa hay un jardín muy bonito.
= Behind the house there is a very nice garden.
1.2.24 alrededor de = around, near
Alrededor del café hay cantidad de tiendas.
= Around the café, there are many shops. (Near the café, there many of shops)
Alrededor de las tres paso por tu casa.
= Around three o'clock, I come by your house.
= Around the café, there are many shops. (Near the café, there many of shops)
Alrededor de las tres paso por tu casa.
= Around three o'clock, I come by your house.
1.2.25 de acuerdo con = according to
de acuerdo con is similar to según de
Lo vamos a hacer de acuerdo con las instrucciones que nos ha dado.
= We are going to do it according to the instructions he has given us.
or:
Lo vamos a hacer según las instrucciones que nos ha dado.
= We are going to do it according to the instructions he has given us.
Lo vamos a hacer de acuerdo con las instrucciones que nos ha dado.
= We are going to do it according to the instructions he has given us.
or:
Lo vamos a hacer según las instrucciones que nos ha dado.
= We are going to do it according to the instructions he has given us.
1.2.26 en la medida que = in the (same) degree
En la medida que sube la inflación los ahorros de la gente van disminuyendo.
= In the same degree the inflation grows the savings of the people shrink.
= In the same degree the inflation grows the savings of the people shrink.
1.2.27 encima de = above
Encima de la mesa está colgada una lámpara verde.
= Above the table hangs a green lamp.
= Above the table hangs a green lamp.
1.2.28 a lo largo de = along
A lo largo de la autopista hay cantidad de restaurantes donde se puede comer "arroz con pollo".
= Along the highway there are loads of restaurants where you can eat "chicken and rice".
= Along the highway there are loads of restaurants where you can eat "chicken and rice".
1.2.29 fuera de = outside of
Fuera de la casa hace mucho frío.
= Outside of the house it's very cold.
= Outside of the house it's very cold.
1.2.30 lejos de = far from
Murío lejos de su ciudad natal.
= He died far from his town of birth.
= He died far from his town of birth.
1.2.31 entre = between
Entre tú y él hay un abismo.
= Between you and him is an abyss.
= Between you and him is an abyss.