Spanish · B1 · Family moment
A Cosy Baby Corner in Spanish
Learn how to describe the layout of a baby's room while mastering spatial prepositions. We will focus on the difference between the action of placing an object and the state of where it is located.
What you'll learn
- Distinguish between verbs of movement (colgar, poner, colocar) and verbs of state (estar, estar colgado).
- Use prepositions of place: en, detrás de, delante de, sobre, and entre.
- Identify common baby room furniture and accessories in Spanish.
Spanish phrases for a cosy baby corner
Estoy colgando tu cuadrito en la pared.
I am hanging your little picture on the wall.
'Colgando' is the gerund for the action of hanging.
Tu cuadrito está colgado en la pared.
Your little picture is hanging on the wall.
'Está colgado' describes the finished state or position.
Estoy poniendo el cubo de pañales detrás del cambiador.
I am placing the nappy bin behind the changing table.
'Detrás de' means behind; 'del' is a contraction of 'de + el'.
El cubo de pañales está detrás del cambiador.
The nappy bin is standing behind the changing table.
Spanish uses 'estar' for location rather than a specific verb for 'standing'.
Estoy extendiendo la manta de juegos delante del sofá.
I am laying the play mat in front of the sofa.
'Extender' (to spread/lay out) is natural for mats.
La manta de juegos está extendida delante del sofá.
The play mat is lying in front of the sofa.
'Extendida' describes the state of the mat being flat on the floor.
Estoy colgando el cuadro sobre la cómoda, y ahora está colgado sobre la cómoda.
I am hanging the picture above the chest of drawers, and now it is hanging above the chest of drawers.
'Sobre' or 'encima de' can both mean 'above' or 'on top of'.
Estoy poniendo el cesto entre el sillón y el sofá, y ahora está entre el sillón y el sofá.
I am placing the basket between the armchair and the sofa, and now it is standing between the armchair and the sofa.
'Entre' is used for 'between' or 'among'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Cuadrito
Little picture
The suffix '-ito' adds the sense of 'small' or 'cute'.
Cambiador
Changing table
From the verb 'cambiar' (to change).
Cubo de pañales
Nappy bin / Diaper pail
'Cubo' means bucket or bin.
Cómoda
Chest of drawers
Also the word for 'comfortable' in the feminine form.
Movement vs. State
In Spanish, we use specific verbs for the 'action' of moving an object, and the verb 'estar' (to be) for the 'state' of its location.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Action (Putting) | Poner / Colocar | Pongo el juguete en la caja. |
| State (Location) | Estar | El juguete está en la caja. |
| Action (Hanging) | Colgar | Cuelgo la ropa. |
| State (Hanging) | Estar colgado/a | La ropa está colgada. |
Prepositions of Place
These words indicate where something is relative to another object.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Behind | Detrás de | Detrás de la cuna. |
| In front of | Delante de | Delante de la ventana. |
| Above / Over | Sobre / Encima de | Sobre el estante. |
| Between | Entre | Entre la cama y la pared. |
More examples
¿Dónde pongo la mantita?
Where do I put the little blanket?
Asking for instructions on placement.
La lámpara está sobre la cómoda.
The lamp is on the chest of drawers.
Describing the current location.
Pon el peluche entre las almohadas.
Put the stuffed animal between the pillows.
Using the imperative (command) form 'pon'.