Basic Prepositions: en, de, a, con, para, por

In English, we have dozens of prepositions like 'underneath' or 'betwixt.' Spanish keeps it lean and mean. A preposition usually sits right before a noun or a pronoun to show a relationship. For example, en la mesa means 'on the table.' It acts like a signpost, pointing from one idea to the next. You do not have to worry about masculine or feminine endings here. Con is always con. Para is always para. It is like a universal remote for your sentences. However, prepositions can be a bit like cats; they have their own logic. Sometimes they do not translate exactly how you expect. En can mean 'in,' 'on,' or 'at.' You just have to learn their favorite spots and how they like to be used. Think of them as the glue that keeps your vocabulary from floating away.

1. 1Pick your core idea. Are you moving somewhere? Are you staying put?
2. 2Select the preposition that fits the vibe of your sentence.
3. 3Place it directly before the noun, destination, or person.
4. 4Check for 'The Big Mergers'—these are mandatory contractions.
5. 5Merge a + el into al. Never say a el unless it is part of a proper name.
6. 6Merge de + el into del. It sounds much smoother and more native.
7. 7Add your noun: al restaurante, del profesor.
8. 8Pat yourself on the back. You just built a professional prepositional phrase!

Use a for movement. If you are going somewhere, a is your ticket. Voy a Madrid (I am going to Madrid). It also marks the time: A las ocho (At eight o'clock). In a job interview, you might say Vengo a la entrevista (I come to the interview).

Use de for origin and ownership. Soy de México (I am from Mexico) or La llave de la casa (The house key). It is also for materials, like vaso de agua (glass of water).

Use en for location. If something is inside or on top, use en. Estoy en el cine (I am at the cinema). It also works for transport: Voy en bus (I go by bus). When ordering food, you might say Comemos en el restaurante (We eat in the restaurant).

Use con for company. Voy con mi hermano (I go with my brother). Or for tools: Escribo con un lápiz (I write with a pencil).

Use para for goals and recipients. Estudio para aprender (I study in order to learn). Este regalo es para ti (This gift is for you). It is also for deadlines: Para mañana (By tomorrow).

Use por for reasons and general time. Estudio por mi futuro (I study because of my future). Por la mañana (In the morning). Think of it as the 'through' or 'because of' word.

Do not use a when you are already there. Use en. Many learners say Estoy a la playa, but unless you are physically touching the water line as you walk in, you are en la playa. Think of it like a grammar traffic light: a is green (go), en is red (stay).

Do not use en for 'to.' English says 'I go in the house,' but Spanish says Voy a la casa. If there is movement involved, a is the boss.

Do not use para for a cause. If you are late 'because of' traffic, it is por el tráfico. Para looks forward to the goal, por looks back at the reason.

Avoid over-translating English phrasal verbs. In English, we 'look for.' In Spanish, the verb buscar already includes the 'for.' Saying busco para mis llaves sounds like you are looking on behalf of your keys! Yes, even native speakers will look at you funny if you do that.

The para vs por showdown is the heavyweight champion of mistakes. Beginners often use para for everything. Remember: para is the 'destination' (a person, a time, a goal), while por is the 'motivation' or 'route.'

Another classic is forgetting the 'Personal A.' If the object of your sentence is a specific person, you must put a before them. Veo a Juan (I see Juan). Without it, it sounds like you are seeing an object, not a human. It is like forgetting to say 'hello' before a conversation.

Avoid saying en la mañana. While common in some regions due to English influence, por la mañana is the gold standard for talking about parts of the day.

Do not forget the contractions al and del. Saying de el is the grammar equivalent of wearing socks with sandals—technically possible, but it makes people look twice. It is a small detail that makes a huge difference in how you sound.

Think of a as an arrow pointing forward (movement). Think of en as a box you are sitting inside (location).

De is a string connecting things (possession). Con is a pair of hands holding things together (company or tools).

Para is the finish line of a race (the goal or destination). Por is the track you run on (the process, the reason, or the path).

Sometimes de and desde get confused. De is just origin (Soy de Chile), while desde emphasizes the starting point in time or space (Desde las tres). It is like the difference between saying where you are from and where you started your road trip.