What does "al lado de" mean?
The phrase "al lado de" literally means "at the side of," but it is the standard way to say "next to" or "beside." In the 80/20 of spatial language, this is the most reliable chunk for describing where people, buildings, or objects are located in relation to each other.
15 High-Frequency Examples
1.
Mi oficina está al lado de la cafetería.
My office is next to the cafeteria. (presente de indicativo)
My office is next to the cafeteria. (presente de indicativo)
2.
De niño, yo vivía al lado de un parque muy grande.
As a child, I lived next to a very large park. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a child, I lived next to a very large park. (imperfecto de indicativo)
3.
Ayer puse las llaves al lado del teléfono.
Yesterday I put the keys next to the phone. (pretérito)
Yesterday I put the keys next to the phone. (pretérito)
4.
En el concierto, estaremos al lado del escenario.
At the concert, we will be next to the stage. (futuro)
At the concert, we will be next to the stage. (futuro)
5.
Si tuviera elección, me sentaría al lado de la ventana.
If I had a choice, I would sit next to the window. (potencial simple)
If I had a choice, I would sit next to the window. (potencial simple)
6.
Busco un hotel que esté al lado de la playa.
I'm looking for a hotel that is next to the beach. (presente de subjuntivo)
I'm looking for a hotel that is next to the beach. (presente de subjuntivo)
7.
Mi madre quería que yo me quedara al lado de ella.
My mother wanted me to stay by her side. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
My mother wanted me to stay by her side. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
8.
¿Has visto el edificio que han construido al lado del museo?
Have you seen the building they have built next to the museum? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you seen the building they have built next to the museum? (perfecto de indicativo)
9.
Cuando llegamos, ya se habían sentado al lado de nosotros.
When we arrived, they had already sat next to us. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When we arrived, they had already sat next to us. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
10.
Apenas hubieron dejado el paquete al lado de la puerta, se marcharon.
As soon as they had left the package next to the door, they drove away. (pretérito anterior — literary)
As soon as they had left the package next to the door, they drove away. (pretérito anterior — literary)
11.
Para mañana, habremos terminado de pintar el muro al lado del garaje.
By tomorrow, we will have finished painting the wall next to the garage. (futuro perfecto)
By tomorrow, we will have finished painting the wall next to the garage. (futuro perfecto)
12.
Habría puesto el sofá al lado de la lámpara, pero no cabía.
I would have put the sofa next to the lamp, but it didn't fit. (potencial compuesto)
I would have put the sofa next to the lamp, but it didn't fit. (potencial compuesto)
13.
Dudo mucho que hayan dejado el coche al lado del hidrante.
I highly doubt they have left the car next to the hydrant. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I highly doubt they have left the car next to the hydrant. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14.
Si hubieras aparcado al lado de la entrada, no estaríamos mojados.
If you had parked next to the entrance, we wouldn't be wet. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If you had parked next to the entrance, we wouldn't be wet. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
¡Siéntate al lado de tu hermano y pórtate bien!
Sit next to your brother and behave! (imperativo)
Sit next to your brother and behave! (imperativo)