Abajo can indicate a lower place or a look directed downward.

The idea

Use abajo alone for down or downstairs; de abajo can identify the lower item.

Examples

  • La cocina está abajo.The kitchen is downstairs.
  • Ana mira abajo desde el puente.Ana looks down from the bridge.
  • Esperamos abajo junto a la puerta.We wait downstairs by the door.
  • Hay una tienda abajo.There is a shop downstairs.
  • Dejamos las cajas abajo.We leave the boxes downstairs.
  • Los zapatos están en el estante de abajo.The shoes are on the lower shelf.

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Watch out

Abajo contrasts with arriba, which points upward or to a higher place.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the word matching the location: La cocina está en el piso inferior: está ___. (abajo / arriba)

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    abajo

    The lower floor is abajo in this context.

  2. Choose the word matching the direction: Desde el puente Ana mira hacia el río, no hacia el cielo: mira ___. (abajo / arriba)

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    abajo

    Looking from a bridge toward the river is looking abajo.

  3. Choose the preposition for the lower shelf: Los zapatos están en el estante ___ abajo. (de / con)

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    de

    De abajo identifies the shelf located lower down.

Use it today

Say what is downstairs and where someone looks from a bridge toward the river.