DELE A1 Guide: Prepositions of Place – Location and Position
Want to practice first? Try a General Prepositions Quiz!
Key Takeaways
- Learn essential Spanish prepositions of place
- Master location expressions for everyday objects
- Understand how to describe where things are
- Learn to give and understand basic directions
- Essential for DELE A1 listening and speaking sections
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish prepositions of place, crucial for describing locations, giving directions, and talking about positions on the DELE A1 exam. Mastering these will help you in everyday conversations and exam tasks.
What are Prepositions of Place?
Prepositions of place (preposiciones de lugar) are words that describe where something is located. They connect nouns and pronouns to other words in a sentence, showing spatial relationships. These are essential for the DELE A1 speaking and listening sections.
Essential Prepositions of Place Chart
Basic Prepositions Table
| Spanish | English | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| en | in, on, at | General location | El libro está en la mesa |
| sobre | on, on top of | Surface contact | El vaso está sobre la mesa |
| debajo de | under, below | Underneath something | El gato está debajo de la cama |
| al lado de | next to, beside | Adjacent position | Mi casa está al lado de el parque |
| entre | between, among | In the middle of | Estoy entre mi hermano y mi hermana |
| delante de | in front of | Forward position | El coche está delante de la casa |
| detrás de | behind | Back position | El jardín está detrás de la casa |
| cerca de | near, close to | Short distance | Vivo cerca de la escuela |
| lejos de | far from | Long distance | Está lejos de aquí |
DELE A1 Tip: Most complex prepositions use “de” (of) after them. Remember this pattern: preposition + de + location. This is essential for exam success!
Common Location Patterns
With Verb Estar (to be)
Prepositions of place are most commonly used with the verb estar because they describe temporary locations:
- Estoy en casa (I am at home)
- Está sobre la mesa (It is on the table)
- Están cerca de aquí (They are near here)
With Household Objects
- El libro está sobre la mesa
- Las llaves están en mi bolsillo
- El perro está debajo de la cama
- La silla está al lado de la puerta
Giving Basic Directions
Essential Direction Phrases
- Está en… (It is in/on…)
- Está cerca de… (It is near…)
- Está lejos de… (It is far from…)
- Está al lado de… (It is next to…)
- Está entre… y… (It is between… and…)
Example Directions for DELE A1
- El baño está al lado de la cocina
- La estación está cerca de aquí
- Mi oficina está entre el banco y el supermercado
- El parque está detrás de la escuela
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Describe your room: “Mi cama está en el centro y el escritorio está al lado de la ventana”
- Give directions: “El supermercado está cerca de aquí, al lado de el banco”
- Describe a picture: “El libro está sobre la mesa y el gato está debajo de la silla”
- Ask for locations: “¿Dónde está el baño?”
Listening Section Preparation
- Understand location descriptions in audio
- Follow simple directions
- Identify positions in spoken descriptions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting “de”: ❌ “al lado el parque” ✅ “al lado de el parque”
- Wrong verb choice: ❌ “soy en casa” ✅ “estoy en casa”
- Confusing prepositions: ❌ “sobre debajo” ✅ “sobre la mesa” or “debajo de la mesa”
Practice with Our Free Spanish Tools
Click here to open our Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool!
Practice creating sentences with different prepositions and locations.
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of prepositions of place?
Take our DELE A1 Prepositions of Place Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for more location words? Study Common Places Vocabulary
- Need verb practice? Review Verb Estar and Locations
- Practice all A1 grammar? Take a Full A1 Grammar Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
