Spanish · A2 · Family moment
Everything Has Somewhere in Spanish
This guide helps you describe the location of school items to your child using Spanish. You will focus on the verb 'estar' (to be) for locations and common prepositions of place.
What you'll learn
- Learn vocabulary for common school items
- Describe the location of objects using 'estar'
- Use prepositions like 'en', 'al lado de', and 'debajo de'
- Understand the contraction 'del' (de + el)
Spanish phrases for everything has somewhere
Tu libro de lectura está en la mochila.
Your reading book is in the school bag.
'Mochila' is the standard word for school bag/backpack.
Tu botella de agua está en la bolsa de deporte.
Your water bottle is in the sports bag.
'Bolsa' is used for a soft bag or shopping bag.
Tu fiambrera está en la mesa.
Your lunchbox is on the table.
Spanish often uses 'en' for both 'in' and 'on'.
Tu lápiz está en el banco.
Your pencil is on the bench.
'El banco' refers to a seat or a bank.
Tus zapatillas están al lado del armario.
Your trainers are next to the cupboard.
'Zapatillas' can mean trainers or slippers depending on context.
Tu mochila está al lado de la puerta.
Your school bag is next to the door.
'Al lado de' means 'next to' or 'beside'.
Tu balón de fútbol está debajo de la silla.
Your football is under the chair.
'Debajo de' is the fixed phrase for 'under'.
Tus calcetines están debajo del banco.
Your socks are under the bench.
Note the contraction 'del' (de + el).
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
Mochila
School bag / Backpack
A very common word in a parent's daily life.
Fiambrera
Lunchbox
Also called 'lonchera' in some Latin American countries.
Zapatillas
Trainers / Sneakers
Specifically sports shoes in this context.
Armario
Cupboard / Wardrobe / Closet
General term for storage furniture.
Using 'Estar' for Location
In Spanish, we use the verb 'estar' to describe where things are located physically.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | está | El libro está... |
| Plural | están | Las zapatillas están... |
Prepositions and Contractions
Prepositions like 'al lado de' and 'debajo de' must be followed by an article. If the article is 'el', it merges with 'de' to form 'del'.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Next to (Masculine) | al lado del | al lado del armario |
| Next to (Feminine) | al lado de la | al lado de la puerta |
| Under (Masculine) | debajo del | debajo del banco |
More examples
¿Dónde está mi estuche?
Where is my pencil case?
Asking for the location of a specific item.
Está sobre la silla.
It is on (top of) the chair.
'Sobre' is a more specific way to say 'on' than 'en'.
Tus cuadernos están dentro de la mochila.
Your notebooks are inside the school bag.
'Dentro de' means 'inside'.