What does "al frente de" mean?
The phrase "al frente de" is a high-frequency chunk with two main uses. It can describe a physical location ("in front of" or "at the front of") or a position of leadership ("at the head of" or "in charge of"). It is an essential tool for navigating both physical spaces and professional roles.
15 High-Frequency Examples
1.
El gerente está al frente de la tienda hoy.
The manager is in charge of the store today. (presente de indicativo)
The manager is in charge of the store today. (presente de indicativo)
2.
Siempre se sentaba al frente de la clase para escuchar mejor.
He always sat at the front of the class to hear better. (imperfecto de indicativo)
He always sat at the front of the class to hear better. (imperfecto de indicativo)
3.
Ayer me estacioné justo al frente del banco.
Yesterday I parked right in front of the bank. (pretérito)
Yesterday I parked right in front of the bank. (pretérito)
4.
El próximo año, ella estará al frente del nuevo departamento.
Next year, she will be at the head of the new department. (futuro)
Next year, she will be at the head of the new department. (futuro)
5.
Si tuviera más tiempo, me pondría al frente de este proyecto.
If I had more time, I would put myself in charge of this project. (potencial simple)
If I had more time, I would put myself in charge of this project. (potencial simple)
6.
Espero que el director esté al frente de la reunión mañana.
I hope the director is at the head of the meeting tomorrow. (presente de subjuntivo)
I hope the director is at the head of the meeting tomorrow. (presente de subjuntivo)
7.
Pidieron que un experto estuviera al frente de la investigación.
They asked for an expert to be in charge of the investigation. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
They asked for an expert to be in charge of the investigation. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
8.
¿Alguna vez has estado al frente de un equipo tan grande?
Have you ever been at the head of such a large team? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you ever been at the head of such a large team? (perfecto de indicativo)
9.
Cuando llegué, ya habían puesto el cartel al frente del edificio.
When I arrived, they had already put the sign in front of the building. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When I arrived, they had already put the sign in front of the building. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
10.
Apenas hubieron llegado al frente de la fila, cerraron las puertas.
As soon as they had reached the front of the line, they closed the doors. (pretérito anterior — literary)
As soon as they had reached the front of the line, they closed the doors. (pretérito anterior — literary)
11.
Para el lunes, habremos colocado las luces al frente del jardín.
By Monday, we will have placed the lights at the front of the garden. (futuro perfecto)
By Monday, we will have placed the lights at the front of the garden. (futuro perfecto)
12.
Habría estado al frente de la oficina, pero tuve una emergencia.
I would have been in charge of the office, but I had an emergency. (potencial compuesto)
I would have been in charge of the office, but I had an emergency. (potencial compuesto)
13.
No creo que hayan dejado el paquete al frente de la puerta principal.
I don't think they have left the package in front of the main door. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I don't think they have left the package in front of the main door. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14.
Si hubieras estado al frente del grupo, nada de esto habría pasado.
If you had been at the head of the group, none of this would have happened. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If you had been at the head of the group, none of this would have happened. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
¡Ponte al frente de la fila y no te muevas!
Get to the front of the line and don't move! (imperativo)
Get to the front of the line and don't move! (imperativo)