a
preposition
1. to, at
direction or place
Common combinations
- a casa — home
- a la izquierda — on the left
- al norte — to the north
- Voy a casa.I'm going home.
- Llegamos a la estación.We arrived at the station.
- El banco está a la derecha.The bank is on the right.
2. to; personal a-marker
a person as object or recipient
Common combinations
- ver a alguien — see someone
- escribir a alguien — write to someone
- dar algo a alguien — give someone something
- Vi a Laura.I saw Laura.
- Escribí a mi madre.I wrote to my mother.
- Le di el pan a Luis.I gave Luis the bread.
3. at; at the age of
time or age
Common combinations
- a las ocho — at eight
- a mediodía — at noon
- a los veinte años — at the age of twenty
- La tienda abre a las nueve.The shop opens at nine.
- Comemos a mediodía.We eat at noon.
- A los diez años aprendí a nadar.At the age of ten, I learned to swim.
4. to, before an infinitive + infinitivo
before an infinitive
Common combinations
- ir a hacer algo — go to do something
- empezar a hacer algo — start to do something
- salir a hacer algo — go out to do something
- Voy a estudiar.I'm going to study.
- Empezó a llover.It started to rain.
- Salió a comprar pan.He went out to buy bread.
5. by, on, at a rate of
manner, means, or rate
Common combinations
- a mano — by hand
- a pie — on foot
- a dos euros el kilo — at two euros per kilo
- Escribió la carta a mano.He wrote the letter by hand.
- Vamos a pie.We are going on foot.
- El aceite cuesta tres euros a litro.The oil costs three euros per litre.
Phrases with this word