Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): La casa está cerca de la escuela.

We use está because we’re talking about the location of la casa. In Spanish, estar is generally used to describe temporary states and locations, while ser is used for more permanent characteristics or defining features.

Why do we say "cerca de la escuela" and not just "cerca la escuela"?

The phrase cerca in Spanish usually goes with the preposition de when indicating proximity to something. So the standard construction is cerca de + [the place], which becomes cerca de la escuela. Without de, the phrase wouldn’t sound correct in Spanish.

Do we always have to include "la" before "escuela"?

Yes, in most cases when referencing a specific noun like escuela, Spanish requires the definite article la to clarify you’re talking about a particular school. Omitting the article is grammatically incorrect in this context.

How would the sentence change if it’s about multiple houses?

For plural houses, you would say Las casas están cerca de la escuela. Notice that la casa becomes las casas and está changes to están to match the plural subject.

Is there any difference in meaning if I say "La escuela está cerca de la casa"?