Spanish Conversation · Level 3
87 words
Spanish word
sobre
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈsoβɾe/
Meaning
- prepositionon
Example
El libro está sobre la mesa.
The book is on the table.
More examples
La lámpara cuelga sobre la mesa.
The lamp hangs on the table.
Core concept
An object positioned above or resting atop another surface.
Common phrases
sobre la mesa
on the table
sobre la cama
on the bed
Similar words
encima de: Lying atop another object with direct contact between them.
arriba de: Situated at a higher position than something else, not about contact.
Definition in Spanish
Expresa la posición superior o cobertura respecto a otra entidad y que puede extenderse al sentido abstracto de 'sobre' como 'acerca de'.
Word origin
From Latin super meaning 'above', the word keeps a core spatial 'over' sense that later broadens to 'about' and, by extension of 'covering', to the noun 'envelope'.
Usage tips
- Spanish often uses 'encima de' to stress direct contact while 'sobre' is more general, and for 'about' Spanish also commonly uses 'acerca de'.
Other meanings
- aboutpreposition
- envelopenoun
Opposites
- bajounderpreposition
Related words
- sobresalirstand outverb
- sobresalienteoutstandingadjective
- sobrevivirsurviveverb