Tips 085: Spanish Prepositions of Position (Part 1 of 2)

Prepositions are hard. Why? Because prepositions rarely translate well between languages. And their use often doesn’t follow a nice set of rules.

For example, when is something below and when is it underneath? How would you explain the difference? What about the difference between out and outside—could you tell a foreigner when they should use these two words?

In this week’s theoretical episode of the podcast I take a look at prepositions. I’m going to specifically look at prepositions of position. And I’m going to dedicate two episodes to prepositions of position. Why? Because they are hard and there are lot of them.

In tip 23 we looked at prepositions of movement. Prepositions of movement are also useful prepositions and worth a review.

But for this week we will focus prepositions such as on, above, below, in and out. In next week’s episode I will focus on in front of, behind and beside.

Examples for today: 

We are going outside for some fresh air – Vamos afuera a tomar el aire.

We’re going to meet outside the ground – Vamos a quedar afuera del campo.

I don’t like being inside, I prefer to be outdoors – No me gusta estar dentro, prefiero estar fuera.

Have you left the meat out of the fridge – ¿Has dejado la carne fuera de la nevera?

He went inside – Él fue adentro.

It is very noisy here, I’m going inside to speak – Hace mucho ruido aquí, me voy adentro a hablar.

In a few days she will return – Dentro de unos días ella volverá.

He was never in the popular group – Nunca estaba dentro del grupo popular.

There are lots of fish below the waves – Hay muchos peces bajo las olas.

I have a wine cellar below – Tengo una bodega abajo.

My son likes to hide below the table – A mi hijo le gusta esconderse debajo de la mesa.

The keys are on the table – Las llaves están sobre la mesa.

The keys are on the table – Las llaves están encima de la mesa.

The keys are on the table – Las llaves están en la mesa.

The plane flies over land – El avión vuela por encima de la tierra.

She lives upstairs (above) – Ella vive arriba.

How would you now use these prepositions of position in context?

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