Prepositions are invariable words that connect other parts in the sentence. Therefore, a preposition needs of another word or element so that can complement it (a noun, a verb…).
List of prepositions:
a | to |
ante | in front of, before |
bajo | below, under |
con | with |
contra | against |
de | of |
desde | from |
durante | during |
en | in |
entre | between/ among |
hacia | for, to, forward |
hasta | up to, until |
mediante | by, with |
para | for, to |
por | for |
según | according to |
sin | without |
sobre | above, over |
tras | after, behind |
There are prepositions with its own meaning:
sin | lack, shortage |
bajo | below, under |
sobre | above, over, about |
tras | after, behind |
ante | facing, before, in front of |
Prepositions with different meaning depending on the context:
CON | |
---|---|
Estoy con Laura | I am with Laura |
Corto el papel con las tijeras | I cut paper with the scissors |
Sara me saludó con dos besos | Sara greeted me with two kisses |
And finally some prepositions don’t mean anything on its own as a word:
a | Vi a Pablo en la calle | I saw Pablo on the street |
de | Soy de Valencia | I am from Valencia |
Prepositions combined with conjuctions:
a | Espero a que me llames | I wait for your call |
con | Me conformo con que apruebes | I’ll settle with you passing the test |
de | Me alegro de que hayas venido | I’m glad (that) you came |
desde | Desde que madrugo, duermo mejor | Since I get up early, I sleep better |
en | Estoy de acuerdo en que dejes el trabajo | I agree that you quit the job |
hasta | Te espero hasta que acabes | I wait until you finish |
para | Te llamo para que me ayudes | I call you so you can help me |
por | Tengo preocupación por que llegues tarde | I’m worried about you being late |
sin | Lo he hecho sin que me ayudes | I have done it without your help |
Prepositional phrases
These are formed by two or more words that work as a preposition:
a causa de | because of |
acerca de | about |
con relación a | relative to, regarding |
a fin de | in order to |
de cara a | with regard to |
de acuerdo con | according to |
en relación con | in relation with |
junto a | next to |
respecto de | regarding |
Visit our Basics menu for a list of common adjectives in Spanish.