Place expressions show where a person or thing is relative to another object or location.
The idea
Use a form of estar with expressions such as encima de (on top of), debajo de (under), cerca de (near), detrás de (behind), delante de (in front of) and dentro de (inside). Before the article el, de + el normally becomes del: detrás del museo.
Examples
- El libro está encima de la mesa.The book is on the table.
- La mochila está debajo de la silla.The backpack is under the chair.
- La farmacia está cerca del banco.The pharmacy is near the bank.
- El parque está detrás del museo.The park is behind the museum.
- La parada está delante de la escuela.The stop is in front of the school.
- El gato está dentro de la caja.The cat is inside the box.
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Watch out
Keep de before the following noun in these expressions. Do not contract de with feminine la: say debajo de la silla.
Try it yourself
El gato está ___ de la caja. (dentro / mañana)
Show answer or example answer
dentro
Dentro completes dentro de, meaning inside.
La mochila está ___ de la silla. (debajo / gracias)
Show answer or example answer
debajo
Debajo completes debajo de, meaning under.
El parque está detrás ___ museo. (del / es)
Show answer or example answer
del
Del combines de with the article el before museo.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
El gato está ___ de la caja. (dentro / mañana)
La mochila está ___ de la silla. (debajo / gracias)
El parque está detrás ___ museo. (del / es)
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 where a book and a bag are, then locate a place near your home.