Have you ever been speaking Spanish and suddenly frozen because you didn’t know whether to say “en” or “a”, “por” or “para”? Don’t worry! You’re not alone. Spanish prepositions can seem tricky, but with a few fun and easy tricks, I promise you’ll master them in no time!
Today I’m going to share 10 practical tips so those difficult Spanish prepositions stop giving you a headache. With a bit of practice and creativity, you’ll soon be speaking confidently—without even having to think twice. So don’t stress—there’s nothing you can’t do! Let’s discover together how to make these prepositions a piece of cake.
1. Make associations with your own language
Some Spanish prepositions have direct equivalents in English, like bajo = under, en = in, and entre = between. Try linking them with their English meanings.
However, others can have broader meanings—like por (because of, through), para (to, in order to, for), sobre (on, about, concerning), and hasta (until, up to). These are what we call the difficult Spanish prepositions. For those, we recommend comparing the different contexts in which they’re used. That will help you understand them better.
2. Prepositions in action—let’s keep it simple
Speaking of context… sometimes the rules don’t follow a clear logic, but there’s an easy way to learn them: by seeing them in action. Instead of memorizing them in isolation, pay attention to how prepositions are used in real conversations, books, songs, or movies. When you hear phrases like “Viajo por trabajo” (I travel for work) or “Este regalo es para ti” (This gift is for you), you start to notice patterns and understand when to use each one. Seeing prepositions in context helps your brain absorb them more naturally, and before you know it—you’re using them effortlessly!
3. Turn them into mental images
Our brains love stories and visual scenes. Imagine walking “through” a forest with sunlight streaming “between” the trees, or lying “under” an umbrella at the beach while the wind plays with your hair. Associating prepositions with images helps them stick in your mind effortlessly.
4. Use gestures when you speak
Gestures reinforce preposition learning by linking them to physical actions. For example, when you say “sobre” (on/above), make a motion of placing something on top of something else. When you say “dentro” (inside), mimic putting something in your pocket. This visual connection helps you remember meanings more easily.
5. Link them to everyday phrases
Phrases like “Estoy en casa” (I am at home) or “Voy hacia la tienda” (I’m going toward the store) reinforce the correct use of prepositions in daily life. Soon you’ll have a mental bank of go-to expressions.
6. Sing and rhyme
Music is magic. Listen to Spanish songs and pay attention to the prepositions. Sing along! You can even make up your own rhymes:
“Voy con mi perro a pasear, paso por la plaza al caminar.”
(I go for a walk with my dog, I pass through the plaza as I walk.)
7. Flashcards—with a twist
Flashcards are classic—but make them fun. Instead of just writing “entre = between”, draw two cats and place “entre” in the middle. Add colors, emojis, or even mini comics. Your brain will thank you, and difficult Spanish prepositions will get easier every time.
8. Become a Spanish detective
Explore books, movies, or podcasts and pay attention to every preposition. When you find one, ask yourself, “Why was it used here?” Jot down tricky prepositions and analyze their usage. Turn this process into a game and have fun investigating!
9. Keep a list of prepositions organized by usage
We know everything’s easier with a good guide. So here’s a list of Spanish prepositions by category:
Prepositions of place:
- En (in/on/at) → Estoy en casa (I am at home)
- Sobre (on/over) → El libro está sobre la mesa (The book is on the table)
- Bajo (under) → El perro está bajo la silla (The dog is under the chair)
- Entre (between/among) → El sol brilla entre las nubes (The sun shines between the clouds)
- Tras (behind) → Corro tras el autobús (I run behind the bus)
Prepositions of direction or movement:
- A (to) → Voy a la tienda (I’m going to the store)
- Hacia (toward) → Camino hacia la playa (I walk toward the beach)
- Desde (from/since) → Vengo desde México (I come from Mexico)
- Hasta (until/up to) → Voy hasta la esquina (I go up to the corner)
Prepositions of cause, purpose, or relation:
- Por (because of/through) → Viajo por trabajo (I travel for work)
- Para (for/in order to) → Este regalo es para ti (This gift is for you)
- Con (with) → Hablo con mi amigo (I talk with my friend)
- Sin (without) → Café sin azúcar (Coffee without sugar)
- Según (according to) → Según el profesor, esto es importante (According to the teacher, this is important)
Prepositions of time:
- Desde (since/from) → Estudio español desde el 2020 (I’ve studied Spanish since 2020)
- Hasta (until) → Trabajo hasta las cinco (I work until five)
- En (in/during) → En verano hace calor (In summer, it is hot)
- Antes de (before) → Antes de comer, me lavo las manos (Before eating, I wash my hands)
- Después de (after) → Después de la clase, salimos (After the class, we go out)
10. Practice with questions
One effective way to master prepositions is by using them in questions. For example, ask: “¿Dónde está el libro?” (Where is the book?) and answer with different prepositions: “Está sobre la mesa” (It’s on the table) or “Está dentro del cajón” (It’s inside the drawer). This type of practice helps you use prepositions naturally and improves your fluency.
Mastering difficult prepositions in Spanish is absolutely possible—and with the right tips and strategies, you’ll get there. This was just a brief guide, but if you truly want to boost your Spanish, our personalized classes are exactly what you need. At WorldsAcross, we tailor every lesson to your goals so you can progress quickly and confidently. Don’t miss the chance to take your learning to the next level with us!
