You Need to Say “Next To” in Spanish. Now What?
You’re trying to give directions, describe where you left your keys, or explain the seating arrangement at dinner. The phrase “next to” is one of those small, essential building blocks of conversation that you suddenly realize you don’t know in Spanish. It’s frustrating. You might freeze, resort to pointing, or use a clumsy workaround that doesn’t quite convey your meaning.
This simple preposition is more powerful than it seems. Mastering it unlocks your ability to describe the world around you with precision, whether you’re traveling, working, or chatting with friends. The good news is that Spanish offers clear, specific ways to express this concept, and with a little practice, they’ll become second nature.
The Core Translation: “Al Lado De”
The most common, direct, and universally understood translation for “next to” in Spanish is al lado de. This is your go-to phrase for 90% of situations. Let’s break it down.
The phrase is a combination of three words: “a” (to), “el” (the), “lado” (side), and “de” (of). When “a” and “el” come together, they contract to form “al.” So, literally, “al lado de” means “to the side of.”
Here is the basic structure for using it in a sentence:
Subject + Verb + “al lado de” + Object/Place.
La farmacia está al lado del banco. (The pharmacy is next to the bank.)
Mi hermana se sentó al lado de mí. (My sister sat next to me.)
El libro está al lado de la computadora. (The book is next to the computer.)
Understanding the Contraction with “De”
Notice in the first example, we used “del banco.” This is another contraction. “De” (of) and “el” (the) combine to form “del.” You must use this contraction. It is incorrect to say “al lado de el banco.”
However, if the noun is feminine, you use “de la.”
El parque está al lado de la escuela. (The park is next to the school.)
And for plural nouns, you use “de los” or “de las.”
Nuestras casas están al lado de los apartamentos nuevos. (Our houses are next to the new apartments.)
Other Essential Ways to Express “Next To”
While “al lado de” is the workhorse, Spanish has other prepositions that convey similar spatial relationships. Choosing the right one adds nuance and accuracy to your speech.
Junto a / Junto con
Junto a is a very close synonym to “al lado de.” It means “right next to” or “adjacent to” and is equally common in formal and informal settings. Sometimes it implies a slightly closer proximity.
Vivo junto a la estación de tren. (I live right next to the train station.)
Pon la silla junto a la mesa. (Put the chair next to the table.)
Junto con means “together with” and is used more for companionship than physical location.
Fui al cine junto con mis amigos. (I went to the movies together with my friends.)
Cerca de
This phrase means “near to” or “close to.” It indicates proximity but not necessarily immediate adjacency. Something that is “cerca de” you is nearby, but there might be space or other objects between you.
El supermercado está cerca de mi casa. (The supermarket is near my house.)
Siéntate cerca de la ventana. (Sit near the window.)
Use “cerca de” when you mean general closeness, and “al lado de” when you mean direct, immediate neighbors.
Alrededor de
Meaning “around” or “surrounding,” this is for when something is on multiple sides. If you are sitting “al lado de” someone, they are on one side of you. If people are sitting “alrededor de” a table, they are on all sides of it.
Nos sentamos alrededor de la fogata. (We sat around the campfire.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When learning these prepositions, a few common pitfalls can trip you up. Being aware of them will help you sound more natural.
Confusing “Al Lado De” with “En Lado De”
This is a direct translation error. In English, we say something is “on the side,” but in Spanish, the correct preposition is “a” (to), not “en” (in/on). Remember the phrase “a el lado” which becomes “al lado.” Never use “en lado de.”
Forgetting the Contractions
As mentioned, “a + el” must become “al,” and “de + el” must become “del.” Not using these contractions is a clear marker of a beginner. It’s one of the first grammar rules to internalize.
Overusing “Cerca De” for Immediate Proximity
If your keys are literally touching your wallet, they are “al lado de” your wallet, not just “cerca de” it. Using the more specific term paints a clearer picture for your listener.
Putting It Into Practice: Real-World Examples
Let’s see how these phrases function in everyday conversations across different contexts.
Giving Directions
This is one of the most practical uses. Your directions will be clear and easy to follow if you master these prepositions.
La oficina de correos está al lado del ayuntamiento. (The post office is next to the town hall.)
El restaurante que buscas está junto a la fuente. (The restaurant you’re looking for is right next to the fountain.)
El hotel no está justo al lado, pero está cerca de la playa. (The hotel isn’t right next to it, but it’s close to the beach.)
Describing Your Home or Office
When talking about your environment, these words are indispensable.
Mi escritorio está al lado de la ventana. (My desk is next to the window.)
El baño principal está junto a la habitación. (The main bathroom is next to the bedroom.)
Hay un parque bonito cerca de nuestro apartamento. (There’s a nice park near our apartment.)
Social Situations and Seating
Explaining where you were or where someone should sit is a common social need.
¿Puedo sentarme al lado de ti? (Can I sit next to you?)
Ella estaba sentada junto a su jefe en la cena. (She was sitting next to her boss at dinner.)
Nos conocimos en un café cerca de la universidad. (We met at a café near the university.)
Answering Frequent Learner Questions
As you practice, certain questions tend to come up repeatedly. Here are clear answers.
Is there a difference between “al lado” and “a un lado”?
Yes. “Al lado” (to the side) is the fixed phrase for “next to.” “A un lado” means “to one side” and is often used as an instruction to move something out of the way.
Pon esas cajas a un lado, por favor. (Put those boxes to one side, please.)
How do I say “next to each other”?
Use “uno al lado del otro” (for masculine or mixed groups) or “una al lado de la otra” (for feminine groups). It literally means “one next to the other.”
Los dos edificios están uno al lado del otro. (The two buildings are next to each other.)
Las sillas están una al lado de la otra. (The chairs are next to each other.)
What about “beside” or “by”? Are they the same?
In practical terms, yes. The English words “beside” and “by” (as in “the shop by the river”) are almost always translated as “al lado de” or “junto a” in Spanish. They all convey the same core idea of immediate adjacency.
Your Action Plan for Mastery
Learning prepositions requires active use, not just memorization. Here is a simple plan to make “al lado de” and its friends a natural part of your Spanish.
First, label your environment. Take sticky notes and physically label items in your home or office with Spanish sentences using “al lado de.” For example, a note on your lamp: “La lámpara está al lado de la cama.” This creates visual, daily reinforcement.
Second, practice with photos. Use your phone. Look at a picture of a street scene, a room, or a group of friends and describe it out loud in Spanish, forcing yourself to use these prepositions. “El carro rojo está junto al carro azul. La mujer está sentada cerca del árbol.”
Finally, incorporate it into your internal monologue. As you go about your day, silently describe what you see in Spanish. “I’m walking next to the building. Estoy caminando al lado del edificio. My coffee is next to my notebook. Mi café está al lado de mi cuaderno.” This constant, low-pressure practice builds fluency faster than you think.
The ability to precisely place objects and people in space is a fundamental skill in any language. By mastering “al lado de,” “junto a,” and “cerca de,” you move beyond simple sentences and into clear, effective description. Start with the core phrase, pay attention to those essential contractions, and gradually layer in the nuances. Your conversations will become smoother, your directions will be understood, and you’ll have unlocked another key piece of thinking directly in Spanish.
