English “at” does not have one Spanish equivalent. The best translation depends on whether you mean a clock time, a location, or a point beside something.
at in Spanish = a / en, pronounced approximately ah / ehn.
How Do You Say at in Spanish?
Spanish often translates “at” with a for a time or destination and en for a location. Other phrases are needed for meanings such as “next to.”
Meaning: at (context-dependent)
Use a las with most clock times, en for being at a place, and junto a when you mean beside something. Spanish does not map every English preposition one-to-one.
Different Ways to Express at
Choose the Spanish preposition based on the relationship being described, not simply by replacing the English word “at.”
1. A las — at a clock time
a las tres — at three o’clock. Use a la for one o’clock and a las for other hours: a la una, a las dos, a las tres.
2. En — at or in a place
en casa — at home. En commonly marks where someone or something is located. It can correspond to English at or in.
3. A — at a destination or event
a la entrada — at the entrance. A can identify a point, destination, or event location. The exact English preposition varies with context.
4. Junto a — next to / beside
junto a mí — next to me. When “at” means beside a person or object, junto a or al lado de can express the spatial relationship. For a less precise distance, compare near in Spanish.
at in Spanish: Quick Comparison
Use this comparison to choose the form that best fits your sentence. Pay attention to whether you are counting, describing a quality, or referring to a particular situation.
| Spanish | Meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| a las tres | at three o’clock | Scheduled times |
| en casa | at home | Locations |
| a la entrada | at the entrance | Points and destinations |
| junto a mí | next to me | Relative position |
How to Pronounce a / en
The prepositions are short and unstressed in ordinary speech: a is an open ah sound, and en sounds approximately like “ehn.” In a las, keep the two words connected smoothly without adding an extra syllable.
Example Sentences Using at
Read each example aloud and notice how the surrounding words give the phrase its exact meaning. The English translation is natural rather than a strict word-for-word rendering.
Meaning: I am at home.
Use: En marks the location where the speaker is.
Meaning: The meeting starts at three.
Use: Use a las before the time.
Meaning: See you at the entrance.
Use: A la entrada names a meeting point.
Frequently Asked Questions About at in Spanish
Tap a question below to see the answer.
What is the Spanish word for “at”?
There is no single equivalent. Common options include a, en, and junto a, depending on the sentence.
How do I say “at three o’clock”?
Say a las tres. For one o’clock, use a la una.
How do I say “at home”?
The usual phrase is en casa.
Does en mean “at” or “in”?
It can mean either, depending on the place and context. For example, en casa is “at home.”
How do I say “at the side of” or “next to”?
Use junto a or al lado de for “next to/beside.”
Summary: at in Spanish
Translate “at” according to its meaning: en for being at a location, a la(s) for a clock time or point, and junto a for beside. Context determines the natural choice.
