Spanish Prepositions Made Simple: Rules, Tips, and Common Mistakes

Want to speak Spanish like a native? Then you'll need to get cozy with prepositions – those small but mighty words that can make or break your Spanish sentences. Think of prepositions like por, para, con, contra, de, and a as the glue that holds your Spanish together.

Sure, you might know how to say "I go store" (Yo voy tienda), but without the right preposition, you're missing the critical "to" that makes it "I go to the store" (Yo voy a la tienda). While these little words might seem tricky at first (especially since some, like por and para, both mean "for" in English), mastering them will take your Spanish from robotic to natural.

In this post, I'll introduce you to some of the most commonly used Spanish prepositions in Spanish grammar. I'll also give you tips and example sentences to truly help you identify and understand each.

What Are Spanish Prepositions?

Las preposiciones or Spanish prepositions are essential connecting words that link different parts of a sentence to show relationships between things, places, people, and actions. Think of them as traffic signs in a sentence – they direct your listener to understand exactly what you mean. Spanish prepositions fall into four main categories:

• Space = "El gato está debajo de la mesa" = "The cat is under the table"
• Time = "Llegaré a las tres" = "I'll arrive at three"
• Manner = "Lo hice con cuidado" = "I did it with care"
• Possession = "El libro de Juan" = "Juan's book"

Understanding these categories makes it much easier to use prepositions correctly in your everyday Spanish conversations.

Common Spanish Prepositions For Beginners

Simple Prepositions In Spanish

These are the one-word powerhouses of Spanish: a (to), de (of/from), en (in/on), con (with), por (for/by), and para (for). You'll drop these into nearly every Spanish conversation you have so they're impossible to avoid when learning Spanish.

Compound Prepositions In Spanish

When you need to be more specific about the location or relationship between things, compound prepositions come into play. Made up of multiple Spanish words like delante de (in front of), detrás de (behind), junto a (next to), and cerca de (near), these phrases help paint a clearer picture.

Spanish Prepositions For Advanced Learners

Origin And Destination

At an advanced level, Spanish prepositions can express nuanced movement patterns, including purpose and method.

Examples:

• "Paso por Madrid rumbo a Barcelona" (I'm passing through Madrid on my way to Barcelona)
• "Vine desde lejos en busca de trabajo" (I came from far away in search of work)
• "El tren procedente de Madrid está en ruta a París" (The train coming from Madrid is en route to Paris)

Geographical Location

When expressing location on a map or in relation to geographical features, Spanish uses specific preposition combinations to convey precise meanings.

Examples:

• "Vivimos en las afueras de Madrid" (We live in the outskirts of Madrid)
• "El hotel está a orillas del mar" (The hotel is on the seashore)
• "El pueblo está en el interior del país" (The town is in the country's interior)

Physical Locations

Spanish uses specific preposition combinations to describe the precise location of objects in relation to each other or within a space.

Examples:

• "El restaurante está a la altura del primer piso" (The restaurant is at the first floor level)
• "Hay una tienda a la entrada del centro comercial" (There's a store at the entrance of the mall)
• "El libro está en el fondo del estante" (The book is at the bottom of the shelf)

Movement

Spanish uses specific preposition combinations to describe how something or someone moves through space, including direction, manner, and path.

Examples:

• "El pájaro voló por encima de la casa" (The bird flew over the house)
• "Caminamos a lo largo del río" (We walked along the river)
• "El gato se movió de un lado a otro" (The cat moved from side to side)

Relationships

Spanish uses specific preposition combinations to describe connections, associations, and relationships between people, things, or ideas.

Examples:

• "En relación con tu pregunta..." (Regarding your question...)
• "Estamos a favor de la propuesta" (We are in favor of the proposal)
• "Todos votaron en contra de la idea" (Everyone voted against the idea)

Time

Spanish uses specific preposition combinations to express more complex time relationships, including duration, specific moments, and sequences.

Examples:

• "A partir de mañana empiezo el trabajo" (Starting from tomorrow, I begin work)
• "La reunión es a eso de las tres" (The meeting is around three)
• "He vivido aquí desde hace cinco años" (I have lived here for five years)

Spanish Preposition Rules

Ever wondered where exactly to put those Spanish prepositions and how they sometimes morph together? Let's break down these important rules that'll help you sound more natural in Spanish.

Rule #1: Spanish Preposition Placement

Spanish prepositions always come before the word they modify. It's that simple. In English, you might say "Who are you going with?" but in Spanish, you say "Con quién vas?" (With whom are you going?). This rule never changes – the preposition always goes first, making your sentences clear and correct.

• de + el libro = del libro (of the book)
• de + el parque = del parque (from the park)
• de + el doctor = del doctor (of the doctor)
• de + el aeropuerto = del aeropuerto (from the airport)
• de + el restaurante = del restaurante (of the restaurant)

Rule #2: Spanish Preposition Contractions

While English has contractions like "don't" or "isn't," Spanish has its own unique set that work differently. These contractions aren't optional – they're mandatory in Spanish speech and writing.

One thing to remember though is that al and del only work with masculine singular article el. Additionally, note that the personal pronouns (conmigo, contigo, consigo) are always written as one word and never separate.

Common Mistakes with Spanish Prepositions

One of the trickiest parts of learning Spanish grammar is that prepositions don't translate directly from English. For instance, when we think about something in English, many learners mistakenly say "pienso de" in Spanish, copying the English structure. However, the correct form is "pienso en." The same goes for dreaming – while English uses "dream about," Spanish pairs "soñar" with "con" (soñar con).

❌ Pienso de mi futuro
✅ Pienso en mi futuro

❌ Sueño de viajar
✅ Sueño con viajar

Time expressions often trip up English speakers too. We naturally want to say "en la mañana" (in the morning) or "en lunes" (on Monday), but Spanish uses different prepositions – or sometimes none at all. Parts of the day use "por" (por la mañana, por la tarde, por la noche), while days of the week just need "el" (el lunes, el martes).

❌ Trabajo en la mañana y estudio en la noche
✅ Trabajo por la mañana y estudio por la noche

❌ Descanso en el fin de semana
✅ Descanso el fin de semana

Another common error involves Spanish verbs like "mirar" (to look at) and "esperar" (to wait for). While English needs "at" after "look" and "for" after "wait," Spanish treats these differently. "Mirar" doesn't need a preposition for objects, and "esperar" uses "a" for people, not "por" as you might expect from the English "wait for."

❌ Miro a la televisión
✅ Miro la televisión

❌ Espero por mi amigo
✅ Espero a mi amigo

For more Spanish grammar tips, check our grammar guide!

Learn Spanish Preposition With Lingopie

While memorizing rules is helpful, the best way to internalize these preposition patterns is through consistent exposure to natural Spanish. Remember, even if you make mistakes, native speakers will understand you – the key is to keep practicing and learning from each conversation.

Want to hear how native speakers use these prepositions in real-life situations? Check out Lingopie's extensive library of Spanish TV shows and movies. With authentic content from across the Spanish-speaking world, you'll learn how prepositions are used in everyday conversations, slang, and different regional dialects.

Plus, Lingopie's interactive features let you pause, replay, and review scenes, making it easier to catch and practice these preposition patterns in context. Ready to take your Spanish to the next level? Start watching on Lingopie today and turn your screen time into learning time!