El hotel tiene una hermosa terraza de cara a la playa.
- Figurative Usage
- Used to express preparation, anticipation, or strategic planning for a future event, often translating to 'with a view to' or 'ahead of' in English.
Estamos ahorrando dinero de cara a nuestro viaje a Europa.
- Sports Context
- Extremely common in sports media to describe how a team is preparing for their next opponent or a major tournament.
El equipo entrena duramente de cara a la gran final del campeonato.
Tengo que estudiar mucho de cara a las pruebas de acceso a la universidad.
- Political Context
- Used to frame political actions, campaigns, and legislative decisions as preparations for future societal impacts or electoral events.
El gobierno anunció nuevas medidas de cara a las próximas elecciones.
Se están preparando de cara a la reunión de mañana.
- The 'Al' Contraction
- Always contract the preposition 'a' and the masculine singular article 'el' to form 'al'. This is a strict rule in Spanish grammar that applies to 'de cara a' as well.
Debemos ser optimistas de cara al próximo año.
- With Infinitives
- Use 'de cara a' + [Infinitive Verb] to express the purpose or intended future outcome of a current action.
La empresa invirtió en tecnología de cara a optimizar sus procesos.
De cara a la nueva normativa, todos los empleados deben realizar el curso.
- Sentence Placement
- Can be used at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, followed by a comma, or in the middle/end to seamlessly link the action to the future context.
Han cambiado la estrategia de marketing de cara a atraer a un público más joven.
El presidente dio un discurso de cara a la cumbre internacional.
- News and Media
- A staple in journalistic writing and broadcasting to explain the future implications or preparations regarding current events.
Los inversores son cautelosos de cara a los nuevos datos de inflación.
- Sports Broadcasting
- Virtually unavoidable in sports interviews and commentary when discussing upcoming games, tournaments, or opponent strategies.
El tenista descansa hoy de cara a la semifinal de mañana.
La empresa contratará más personal de cara a la campaña de Navidad.
- Everyday Planning
- Used in casual settings to discuss personal goals, travel plans, or preparations for family events and holidays.
Tengo que hacer dieta de cara al verano.
Incorrect: Hablamos de cara a. / Correct: Hablamos cara a cara.
- Missing the Contraction
- Never write or say 'a el' when they appear together consecutively; always combine them into 'al' (e.g., de cara al futuro).
Compramos provisiones de cara al huracán que se aproxima.
- Using Conjugated Verbs
- Avoid following 'de cara a' with 'que' and a conjugated verb. Stick to nouns or infinitive verbs for a natural, grammatically correct structure.
Hicieron reformas de cara a vender la casa más rápido.
- Spatial Confusion
- Do not use 'de cara a' merely to mean 'across from' unless you specifically want to emphasize the orientation or direction something is facing.
Mi escritorio está de cara a la ventana para aprovechar la luz natural.
Se preparan con vistas a la próxima temporada.
- Con vistas a
- The most perfect synonym for the figurative 'de cara a', meaning 'with a view to'. It is elegant, formal, and widely used in professional settings.
Ahorramos pensando en la jubilación.
- Pensando en
- A conversational and mental alternative meaning 'thinking about' or 'keeping in mind', used to express that current actions are motivated by a future consideration.
La ventana de la cocina da a la calle principal.
- Ante / Frente a
- Use 'ante' (before/in the face of) or 'frente a' (facing/against) when the context is about confronting a difficult situation, opponent, or undeniable reality.
Ante la falta de tiempo, decidimos cancelar la reunión.
Examples by Level
La casa está de cara al sol.
The house is facing the sun.
Literal use. Notice the contraction 'al' (a + el).
El sofá está de cara a la tele.
The sofa is facing the TV.
Literal use indicating physical direction.
La silla está de cara a la ventana.
The chair is facing the window.
Uses 'a la' because 'ventana' is feminine.
El niño está de cara a su madre.
The boy is facing his mother.
Physical orientation between two people.
El hotel está de cara al mar.
The hotel is facing the sea.
Common way to describe building locations.
Estudio de cara al examen.
I study for (facing) the exam.
Very basic introduction to the figurative 'preparation' meaning.
Ahorro de cara al viaje.
I save for the trip.
Using 'de cara a' instead of 'para' for a future event.
La puerta está de cara a la calle.
The door is facing the street.
Literal spatial description.
Me preparo de cara a la entrevista de trabajo.
I am preparing for the job interview.
Figurative use meaning 'in preparation for'.
Tenemos que comprar comida de cara al fin de semana.
We have to buy food for the weekend.
Planning for a specific upcoming time period.
El equipo entrena de cara al partido de mañana.
The team trains ahead of tomorrow's game.
Very common usage in the context of sports and training.
De cara al invierno, necesito un abrigo nuevo.
Looking towards winter, I need a new coat.
Placed at the beginning of the sentence to set the context.
Mi habitación está de cara al sur, así que hace calor.
My room is facing south, so it is hot.
Using cardinal directions with the literal meaning.
Hacemos planes de cara a las vacaciones de verano.
We are making plans for the summer holidays.
Followed by a feminine plural noun (las vacaciones).
Estudio todos los días de cara a mejorar mi español.
I study every day with a view to improving my Spanish.
Introduction of 'de cara a' followed by an infinitive verb (mejorar).
El profesor habló de cara a los alumnos.
The teacher spoke facing the students.
Literal meaning involving human interaction.
El gobierno anunció nuevas medidas de cara a la crisis económica.
The government announced new measures in light of the economic crisis.
Used in a formal, news-like context to indicate preparation or reaction.
De cara a conseguir el trabajo, debes actualizar tu currículum.
With a view to getting the job, you must update your resume.
Followed by an infinitive (conseguir) to express a goal.
Estamos ahorrando mucho de cara a comprarnos una casa el próximo año.
We are saving a lot with a view to buying a house next year.
Connecting a current ongoing action (saving) to a major future goal.
El entrenador cambió la estrategia de cara a la segunda mitad del partido.
The coach changed the strategy looking towards the second half of the game.
Typical sports usage indicating tactical adjustments.
De cara al futuro, la empresa planea expandirse a otros países.
Looking to the future, the company plans to expand to other countries.
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Related Phrases
More business words
a cambio
B1As a return or substitute; in exchange, in return.
a cambio de
B1In exchange for.
a cargo de
B1In charge of; responsible for.
a diario
B1Every day; daily.
a excepción de
B1With the exception of; except for.
a fin de que
B1In order that; so that.
a fondo
B1Thoroughly or in depth.
a la vez
B1At the same time; simultaneously.
a medida que
B1At the same rate or in the same way as.
a medio plazo
B1In the medium term, over a moderate period of time.