Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Setting up our class exhibition in Spanish
Setting up a class exhibition is a wonderful way to practice spatial vocabulary in Spanish. While English uses specific verbs like 'lying', 'sitting', or 'standing', Spanish primarily uses 'estar' (to be) to describe location, combined with precise prepositions of place. To express the action of putting something somewhere, we use 'poner' or 'colocar'.
What you'll learn
- Express the action of placing objects using 'poner' and 'colgar'.
- Describe the location of items using 'estar' and spatial prepositions.
- Correctly use compound prepositions like 'delante de' and 'detrás de'.
- Differentiate between movement (destination) and state (location).
Spanish phrases for setting up our class exhibition
¿Colgamos tu dibujo en la pared?
Shall we hang your drawing on the wall?
'Colgar' means to hang. 'En' is used for 'on' when referring to a surface.
Tu dibujo está colgado en la pared junto a la entrada.
Your drawing is hanging on the wall by the entrance.
'Está colgado' describes the state (is hung/hanging). 'Junto a' means 'by' or 'next to'.
Pon la maqueta entre los dos paneles.
Put the model between the two display boards.
'Entre' functions exactly like 'between'.
La maqueta está ahora entre los paneles.
The model is standing between the display boards now.
Spanish doesn't typically use a specific verb for 'standing'; 'está' is the natural way to say it is there.
Pon las etiquetas delante de los proyectos.
Place the labels in front of the projects.
'Delante de' is a compound preposition meaning 'in front of'.
Las etiquetas están delante de los proyectos.
The labels are lying in front of the projects.
Again, 'están' is used where English might say 'are lying'.
Colguemos la pancarta sobre el marco de la puerta.
Let's hang the banner above the doorway.
'Sobre' can mean 'above' or 'on top of'.
Las cajas de repuesto están detrás de la pantalla.
The spare boxes are standing behind the screen.
'Detrás de' is the opposite of 'delante de'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
la maqueta
scale model
Used for school projects or architectural models.
el panel
display board
Can refer to a poster board or a wooden partition.
la pancarta
banner
Usually refers to a horizontal sign made of fabric or paper.
colgar
to hang
This is a radical-changing verb: 'cuelgo' (I hang).
Verbs of Placement vs. Position
In Spanish, the distinction between moving an object and its final location is made by the verb choice, not the noun case.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Action (To Put) | Poner / Colocar | Pon el póster en la mesa. |
| Action (To Hang) | Colgar | Cuelga el dibujo aquí. |
| Position (Location) | Estar + [Preposition] | El póster está en la mesa. |
Essential Prepositions
Spatial relationships are defined by these common prepositions.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| In front of | Delante de | Delante de la mesa. |
| Behind | Detrás de | Detrás del panel. |
| Between | Entre | Entre las sillas. |
| Above/On | Sobre / Encima de | Sobre el estante. |
More examples
¿Dónde pongo este cartel?
Where do I put this poster?
Common question when organizing a space.
Ponlo debajo de la ventana.
Put it under the window.
'Debajo de' is the opposite of 'encima de'.
La exposición quedó muy bonita.
The exhibition turned out very beautiful.
'Quedar' is often used to describe the final result of an arrangement.