What does "junto a" mean?
The phrase "junto a" translates to "next to," "beside," or "alongside." It is used to indicate physical proximity between two people or things, or to express that someone does something alongside another person. It is one of the most natural and frequently used positional phrases in everyday Spanish.
Examples
1.
Me gusta sentarme junto a la ventana en el tren.
I like to sit next to the window on the train. (presente de indicativo)
I like to sit next to the window on the train. (presente de indicativo)
2.
¿Puedo sentarme junto a ti?
Can I sit next to you? (presente de indicativo — question)
Can I sit next to you? (presente de indicativo — question)
3.
De niño, siempre dormía junto a su perro en la cama.
As a child, he always slept next to his dog in the bed. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a child, he always slept next to his dog in the bed. (imperfecto de indicativo)
4.
Durante toda la ceremonia, se quedó junto a su madre.
Throughout the ceremony, she stayed next to her mother. (pretérito)
Throughout the ceremony, she stayed next to her mother. (pretérito)
5.
En la cena de empresa, estarás sentado junto a el director.
At the work dinner, you will be seated next to the director. (futuro)
At the work dinner, you will be seated next to the director. (futuro)
6.
Me gustaría trabajar junto a un equipo con más experiencia.
I would like to work alongside a team with more experience. (potencial simple)
I would like to work alongside a team with more experience. (potencial simple)
7.
Es importante que alguien de confianza esté junto a él durante la operación.
It is important that someone trusted be beside him during the operation. (presente de subjuntivo)
It is important that someone trusted be beside him during the operation. (presente de subjuntivo)
8.
Le pedí que se quedara junto a mí durante toda la reunión.
I asked her to stay beside me throughout the meeting. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
I asked her to stay beside me throughout the meeting. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
9.
¿Has trabajado alguna vez junto a alguien famoso en tu sector?
Have you ever worked alongside someone well known in your field? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you ever worked alongside someone well known in your field? (perfecto de indicativo)
10.
Cuando llegué al hospital, mi familia ya había estado junto a él toda la noche.
When I arrived at the hospital, my family had already been beside him all night. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When I arrived at the hospital, my family had already been beside him all night. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
11.
Apenas hubieron colocado la estatua junto a la fuente, empezaron las críticas.
As soon as they had placed the statue next to the fountain, the criticism began. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
As soon as they had placed the statue next to the fountain, the criticism began. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
12.
Para el fin de semana, habremos puesto la nueva estantería junto a la ventana.
By the weekend, we will have put the new bookshelf next to the window. (futuro perfecto)
By the weekend, we will have put the new bookshelf next to the window. (futuro perfecto)
13.
Habría preferido sentarme junto a mis amigos, pero ya no había sitio.
I would have preferred to sit next to my friends, but there was no space left. (potencial compuesto)
I would have preferred to sit next to my friends, but there was no space left. (potencial compuesto)
14.
No creo que hayan puesto la nueva parada de autobús junto a la escuela.
I don't think they have put the new bus stop next to the school. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I don't think they have put the new bus stop next to the school. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
Pon las sillas junto a la mesa antes de que lleguen los invitados.
Put the chairs next to the table before the guests arrive. (imperativo)
Put the chairs next to the table before the guests arrive. (imperativo)