What does "a la derecha de" mean?
The phrase "a la derecha de" translates to "to the right of" or "on the right of." It is used to indicate the position of something or someone relative to a reference point. It is one of the most common phrases for giving and understanding directions in everyday Spanish.
Examples
1.
El baño está a la derecha de la cocina.
The bathroom is to the right of the kitchen. (presente de indicativo)
The bathroom is to the right of the kitchen. (presente de indicativo)
2.
¿El supermercado está a la derecha de la farmacia?
Is the supermarket to the right of the pharmacy? (presente de indicativo — question)
Is the supermarket to the right of the pharmacy? (presente de indicativo — question)
3.
De niño, mi colegio estaba a la derecha de la iglesia del pueblo.
As a child, my school was to the right of the village church. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a child, my school was to the right of the village church. (imperfecto de indicativo)
4.
Me senté a la derecha de mi jefe durante toda la cena.
I sat to the right of my boss throughout the dinner. (pretérito)
I sat to the right of my boss throughout the dinner. (pretérito)
5.
Tu mesa estará a la derecha de la entrada cuando llegues.
Your table will be to the right of the entrance when you arrive. (futuro)
Your table will be to the right of the entrance when you arrive. (futuro)
6.
Yo pondría el sofá a la derecha de la ventana para aprovechar mejor la luz.
I would put the sofa to the right of the window to make better use of the light. (potencial simple)
I would put the sofa to the right of the window to make better use of the light. (potencial simple)
7.
Quiero que la cama quede a la derecha de la puerta.
I want the bed to be to the right of the door. (presente de subjuntivo)
I want the bed to be to the right of the door. (presente de subjuntivo)
8.
Me pidió que me colocara a la derecha de él para la foto.
He asked me to stand to the right of him for the photo. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
He asked me to stand to the right of him for the photo. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
9.
¿Has visto la tienda nueva que han abierto a la derecha del banco?
Have you seen the new shop they have opened to the right of the bank? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you seen the new shop they have opened to the right of the bank? (perfecto de indicativo)
10.
Cuando llegué al apartamento, ya habían colocado el armario a la derecha de la cama.
When I arrived at the flat, they had already placed the wardrobe to the right of the bed. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When I arrived at the flat, they had already placed the wardrobe to the right of the bed. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
11.
Apenas hubieron colocado la señal a la derecha del cruce, los accidentes disminuyeron.
As soon as they had placed the sign to the right of the junction, accidents decreased. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
As soon as they had placed the sign to the right of the junction, accidents decreased. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
12.
Para cuando llegues, ya habremos puesto tu escritorio a la derecha de la ventana.
By the time you arrive, we will have placed your desk to the right of the window. (futuro perfecto)
By the time you arrive, we will have placed your desk to the right of the window. (futuro perfecto)
13.
Habría aparcado a la derecha del edificio, pero ya no había sitio.
I would have parked to the right of the building, but there was no space left. (potencial compuesto)
I would have parked to the right of the building, but there was no space left. (potencial compuesto)
14.
No creo que hayan puesto la nueva parada de autobús a la derecha del parque.
I don't think they have put the new bus stop to the right of the park. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I don't think they have put the new bus stop to the right of the park. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
Si la cafetería hubiera estado a la derecha de la oficina, habríamos ido todos los días.
If the café had been to the right of the office, we would have gone every day. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If the café had been to the right of the office, we would have gone every day. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)