Alrededor can describe the surrounding area; alrededor de also introduces an estimate.
The idea
Before a named place or quantity, use alrededor de: alrededor de la mesa.
Examples
- Caminamos alrededor del parque.We walk around the park.
- Hay sillas alrededor de la mesa.There are chairs around the table.
- Mira alrededor antes de cruzar.Look around before crossing.
- Llegaron alrededor de veinte personas.Around twenty people arrived.
- El viaje dura alrededor de una hora.The trip lasts around an hour.
- Los niños corren alrededor del árbol.The children run around the tree.
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Watch out
Alrededor de una hora is an estimate, not an exact duration; del combines de and el.
Try it yourself
Choose the preposition before the place: Hay sillas alrededor ___ la mesa. (de / a)
Show answer or example answer
de
De introduces the place after alrededor.
Choose the phrase for an approximate duration: El viaje dura aproximadamente una hora: dura ___ una hora. (alrededor de / dentro de)
Show answer or example answer
alrededor de
Alrededor de expresses an approximate duration here.
Choose the phrase for a route around the outside: Caminamos por fuera, dando una vuelta ___ parque. (alrededor del / dentro del)
Show answer or example answer
alrededor del
Alrededor del describes a route around the park; dentro del means inside it.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Choose the preposition before the place: Hay sillas alrededor ___ la mesa. (de / a)
Choose the phrase for an approximate duration: El viaje dura aproximadamente una hora: dura ___ una hora. (alrededor de / dentro de)
Choose the phrase for a route around the outside: Caminamos por fuera, dando una vuelta ___ parque. (alrededor del / dentro del)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe what is around a table and estimate how long a journey takes.