Spanish A1 Essentials: Mastering en, de, con, a, por, para in Daily Life

Prepositions are small words with big power. In Spanish, six little heroes—en, de, con, a, por, para—help you say where, when, how, and why. Today you'll learn what each one does, see simple examples, and practice right away so you can use them in everyday conversations.

Quick meanings at a glance

We’ll keep it simple:

  • en = in, on, at (location/time)
  • de = of, from (possession/origin)
  • con = with (company/instrument)
  • a = to, at (movement/time)
  • por = by, through, because of, per; parts of the day (por la mañana)
  • para = for, in order to, destination/recipient/deadline

Let’s anchor each one with a beginner-friendly example.

en —
in, on, at
preposition
La llave está en la mesa.
The key is on the table.
de —
of, from
preposition
Vengo de México.
I come from Mexico.
con —
with
preposition
Voy con mi amiga.
I’m going with my friend.
a —
to, at
preposition
Vamos a la playa.
We’re going to the beach.
por —
by, through, because of; used for parts of the day
preposition
Camino por el parque.
I walk through the park.
para —
for, in order to; destination/recipient
preposition
Este regalo es para ti.
This gift is for you.

en: location and time

Use en for places and many time expressions.

  • La mochila está en el coche. = The backpack is in the car.
  • Vivo en Madrid. = I live in Madrid.
  • En enero hace frío. = In January it’s cold.

La llave está la mesa.

a: movement and clock time

Use a for movement (going to) and clock time.

  • Vamos a la tienda. = We’re going to the store.
  • Clase a las nueve. = Class at nine.
  • ¿Vas a casa? = Are you going home?
🔠 Put the words in order

Put the movement (Vamos) before the destination with a.

a preposition + plus el article (masculine singular) → becomes al contraction
de preposition + plus el article (masculine singular) → becomes del contraction

Voy parque.

de: origin and possession

Use de to say where something comes from and who owns it.

  • Soy de Chile. = I’m from Chile.
  • El libro de Ana. = Ana’s book (the book of Ana).
  • La comida del restaurante. = The restaurant’s food.
Voy a el parque. → Voy al parque. Remember the contraction: a + el → al.

con: with people or tools

Use con to show company or what you use.

  • Café con leche. = Coffee with milk.
  • Trabajo con Juan. = I work with Juan.
  • Escribo con un lápiz. = I write with a pencil.

Bebes café leche.

por vs para (beginner-friendly)

Both can mean “for,” but at A1 we’ll use a simple guide:

  • para = for someone, for a destination, for a deadline, in order to (purpose)

    • Este regalo es para mi mamá. = This gift is for my mom.
    • Salgo para Madrid. = I’m leaving for Madrid.
    • Necesito el informe para mañana. = I need the report for tomorrow.
    • Estudio para viajar. = I study in order to travel.

  • por = because of, through/along, by (means), per, parts of the day

    • Gracias por tu ayuda. = Thanks for your help (because of).
    • Camino por la calle. = I walk along the street.
    • Voy por bus. = I go by bus.
    • Veo a mi familia dos veces por semana. = I see my family twice per week.
    • Trabajo por la noche. = I work at night.
🧠 Pick the right preposition

Mini conversation practice

Here’s a short plan for a movie night. Put the lines in a natural order. Notice the prepositions: al (a + el), con, a las, en, por.

💬 Ordena la conversación
Spanish
¿Vas al cine hoy?
Lit: Do you go to-the cinema today?
Are you going to the cinema today?
Spanish
Sí, voy con Ana a las siete.
Lit: Yes, I go with Ana at the seven.
Yes, I’m going with Ana at seven.
Spanish
Genial. Nos vemos en la entrada.
Lit: Great. We see each other at the entrance.
Great. See you at the entrance.
Spanish
Perfecto, compro las entradas por internet.
Lit: Perfect, I buy the tickets by internet.
Perfect, I’ll buy the tickets online.

en vs de quick contrast

  • en answers “Where is it?”
    • El teléfono está en la cocina. = The phone is in the kitchen.
  • de answers “Where is it from?” or “Whose is it?”
    • El teléfono de Juan. = Juan’s phone.
    • Soy de Perú. = I’m from Peru.

Soy Argentina.

🔠 Put the words in order

We are at home.

Cultural note: time of day and places

Spanish often prefers por for parts of the day: por la mañana (in the morning), por la tarde (in the afternoon), por la noche (at night). For clock times, use a: a las ocho (at eight). For many public places with el, remember contractions:

  • al cine (to the cinema), al parque (to the park), al supermercado (to the supermarket)
  • del museo (from the museum), del banco (from the bank)
Trabajo en la noche. → Trabajo por la noche. Use por with parts of the day.

Quick review

  • en = location/time (en casa, en enero)
  • de = origin/possession (de México, de Ana)
  • con = with (con amigos, con leche)
  • a = movement/time (a la escuela, a las tres) and contracts to al
  • por = route, reason, means, parts of day (por el parque, por tu ayuda, por bus, por la noche)
  • para = destination, recipient, purpose, deadline (para Madrid, para ti, para estudiar, para mañana)

Keep practicing with short sentences and pay attention to the little details like al and del.

Final mini practice

Try saying these out loud:

  • Voy al banco a las diez. = I’m going to the bank at ten.
  • Estudio para el examen. = I study for the exam.
  • Camino por el centro con mi hermano. = I walk through downtown with my brother.
  • La cafetería está en la esquina. = The café is on the corner.

You’ve got the core prepositions! Keep noticing them in signs, menus, and conversations. With en, de, con, a, por, para, you can describe where you are, where you’re going, and what you’re doing—clearly and confidently.