Complex prepositions of place (encima de, debajo de...)

Placing things perfectly

When arranging furniture or decorating a room, you need to be specific about where things go. To describe locations exactly, Spanish uses complex prepositions that end in de.

The vase is on top of the table.
El jarrón está encima de la mesa.
We have to put the piece of furniture next to the curtain.
Tenemos que poner el mueble al lado de la cortina.
We have to hide the gift behind the curtain.
Tenemos que esconder el regalo detrás de la cortina.

Don't forget del!

Because all of these prepositions end with de, you will frequently place them right before a masculine noun starting with el (the). Remember that de and el must always combine to form the single word del.

The shoe is under the armchair.
El zapato está debajo del sillón.
The television is in front of the armchair.
El televisor está enfrente del sillón.
The red cushion is behind the piece of furniture.
El cojín rojo está detrás del mueble.