Spanish
Grade 9
15 min
Preposiciones de Lugar (Prepositions of Place): Where is it?
Introduce prepositions of place (e.g., en, debajo de, al lado de) and practice using them to describe the location of objects.
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Correctly identify and define at least 10 common Spanish prepositions of place.
Use prepositions of place with the verb 'estar' to form complete, grammatically correct sentences.
Ask and answer questions using '¿Dónde está...?' to locate items in a house and places in a community.
Accurately apply the contractions 'al' (a + el) and 'del' (de + el) when used with prepositions of place.
Describe the spatial relationship between two or more objects or locations using a sequence of prepositions.
Differentiate between commonly confused prepositions such as 'delante de' vs. 'enfrente de' and 'encima de' vs. 'en'.
¡Ayuda! No encuentro mi teléfono. ¿Está encima de la mesa, debajo de l...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Preposición de LugarA word or group of words that specifies the location of a noun (person, place, or thing) in relation to another noun.El gato está **debajo de** la silla. (The cat is under the chair.)
Encima de / SobreMeans 'on top of' or 'on'. 'Encima de' is very specific about being on the surface of something. 'Sobre' can also mean 'about', but in the context of location, it means 'on' or 'over'.Mis libros están **encima del** escritorio. (My books are on top of the desk.)
Debajo deMeans 'under' or 'underneath'. It describes something being in a lower position than something else, often covered by it.Guardo mis zapatos **debajo de** la cama. (I keep my shoes under the bed....
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Grammar Rules & Patterns
The 'estar' Rule for Location
Location = Use the verb 'estar'
When you describe the location of any person, place, or thing, you must always use the verb 'estar', not 'ser'. This is true for both temporary and permanent locations. For example, 'La biblioteca está en la calle principal' (The library is on the main street).
Basic Prepositional Phrase Structure
Objeto + está/están + preposición + (artículo) + punto de referencia
This is the fundamental sentence structure. Start with the object you are locating, conjugate 'estar', add the preposition, and end with the reference point. For example: 'Las llaves (objeto) están (estar) sobre (preposición) la (artículo) mesa (punto de referencia).'
Mandatory Co...
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Challenging
A tourist needs to find the bank. You explain: 'It's on Juarez Street, next to the pharmacy, and directly across from the central market.' Which Spanish summary is most accurate?
A.El banco está en la calle Juarez, entre la farmacia y el mercado central.
B.El banco está lejos de la farmacia, pero cerca del mercado central en la calle Juarez.
C.El banco está en la calle Juarez, delante de la farmacia y detrás del mercado central.
D.El banco está en la calle Juarez, al lado de la farmacia y enfrente del mercado central.
Challenging
Imagine a bedroom. A bed is against the wall. A nightstand is next to the bed. A lamp is on top of the nightstand. A rug is on the floor under the bed. Which statement is illogical?
A.La mesita de noche está al lado de la cama.
B.La cama está debajo de la alfombra.
C.La lámpara está encima de la mesita de noche.
D.La alfombra está debajo de la cama.
Challenging
The post office is between the library and the cafe. The cafe is next to the fire station. From this, what can you definitively conclude?
A.La biblioteca está al lado de la estación de bomberos.
B.La oficina de correos está lejos de la estación de bomberos.
C.El café está entre la oficina de correos y la estación de bomberos.
D.La estación de bomberos está enfrente de la biblioteca.
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