Significado
Indicates proximity, meaning in a position immediately adjoining.
Contexto cultural
In Spain, 'al lado de' is often used very literally. If someone says a bar is 'al lado', they usually mean it is within a 1-2 minute walk. Mexicans often use the diminutive 'al ladito' to sound more friendly or to emphasize that something is extremely close. In Argentina, you might hear 'al lado' used in a sarcastic way to compare things that are obviously different. The phrase is central to the concept of 'vecindad' (neighborhood). Being 'al lado' of someone implies a social bond and a duty to help.
The 'Del' Rule
Always check if the next word is masculine singular. If it is, 'de' + 'el' MUST become 'del'.
Don't say 'A lado'
It's a common mistake even for some native speakers in writing, but it's grammatically incorrect. Keep the 'l'!
Significado
Indicates proximity, meaning in a position immediately adjoining.
The 'Del' Rule
Always check if the next word is masculine singular. If it is, 'de' + 'el' MUST become 'del'.
Don't say 'A lado'
It's a common mistake even for some native speakers in writing, but it's grammatically incorrect. Keep the 'l'!
Use for Comparisons
To sound more natural at the B1 level, start using 'al lado de' to compare things instead of just 'más que'.
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct contraction (al or del).
La farmacia está ______ lado ______ hospital.
We need 'al' (a + el) for the first part and 'del' (de + el) because 'hospital' is masculine.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
We use 'al' (not 'a') and the prepositional pronoun 'mí' (not 'yo').
Match the sentence to the correct context.
Sentence: 'Mi coche es una chatarra al lado del tuyo.'
The speaker is using 'al lado de' to show how much worse their car is compared to the other person's.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Dónde dejaste las llaves? B: Están ______ de la televisión.
In the context of finding keys, 'al lado' (next to) is the most specific and common answer.
Complete the comparison.
Tu casa parece un palacio al lado ______ {la|f} mía.
Since 'mía' is feminine/possessive, we just use 'de'.
🎉 Pontuação: /5
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
5 exerciciosLa farmacia está ______ lado ______ hospital.
We need 'al' (a + el) for the first part and 'del' (de + el) because 'hospital' is masculine.
Choose the correct option:
We use 'al' (not 'a') and the prepositional pronoun 'mí' (not 'yo').
Sentence: 'Mi coche es una chatarra al lado del tuyo.'
The speaker is using 'al lado de' to show how much worse their car is compared to the other person's.
A: ¿Dónde dejaste las llaves? B: Están ______ de la televisión.
In the context of finding keys, 'al lado' (next to) is the most specific and common answer.
Tu casa parece un palacio al lado ______ {la|f} mía.
Since 'mía' is feminine/possessive, we just use 'de'.
🎉 Pontuação: /5
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasNo, 'al lado de' is neutral and used everywhere. 'Junto a' is slightly more formal but also very common.
Sí, es muy común en el habla coloquial, aunque en gramática formal se prefiere 'al lado de mí'.
'Al lado de' significa que están pegados o muy cerca. 'Cerca de' es más general y puede haber distancia.
No, es principalmente espacial o comparativo. Para tiempo usamos 'cerca de' o 'alrededor de'.
Frases relacionadas
Junto a
synonymNext to / Together with
Cerca de
similarNear
A la par de
synonymAlongside / At the same level
En frente de
contrastIn front of / Opposite
Pegado a
specialized formStuck to / Right against
