al lado
/al ˈlado/
The English phrase "next door" is translated into Spanish as al lado.
Al lado is used to indicate that something is in an adjacent home or place. If you want to refer specifically to a person as a "next-door neighbor", you should use the phrase vecino de al lado.
Meaning: in the adjacent home or place (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase al lado literally translates to "at the side".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use al lado to specify what or who is next door, you must follow it with the preposition de.
How do you pronounce it?
/al ˈlado/
Did you know?
- Adding a diminutive suffix to create al ladito suggests that the adjacent place is not just nearby but is incredibly close or viewed with endearment.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a 'vecino de al lado' is often viewed as part of an extended social circle rather than just a person living in an adjacent unit.
- The Spanish word lado shares a common ancestor with the English word 'lateral'. Both descend from the Latin latus, meaning 'side'.
Examples in context
- Es mi vecino de al lado.He is my next-door neighbor.This sentence shows how to use al lado to identify a next-door neighbor.Tatoeba #1253702 by wallebot, translation #298019 by CH
- Vive al lado de nosotros.He lives next door to us.This sentence demonstrates the use of al lado to indicate someone lives next door to a group.Tatoeba #2079621 by lazarus1907, translation #294558 by CK
- Vivo al lado de la juguetería.I live next door to the toy shop.This sentence shows how to use al lado to describe a location next door to a shop.Tatoeba #1084699 by hayastan, translation #253251 by CK
- Mi vecino de al lado es muy amableMy neighbor next door is very friendly
- La casa de al lado es de estilo colonialThe next door house is colonial style
- Vamos a la fiesta en la casa del ladoLet's go to the party at the house next door
- Ayer visité a mi vecino/a de al ladoYesterday, I visited my neighbor next door
- Mi amable vecino/a de al lado siempre me trae el periódicoMy friendly neighbor next door always brings me the newspaper
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are talking in a hallway about a new neighbor.
- Lucía¿Vives al lado de ellos?Do you live next door to them?
- DanielNo, vivo en la casa de enfrente.No, I live in the house across the street.
- LucíaEntiendo, mi oficina está al lado de la tuya.I see, my office is next to yours.
- Daniel¡Ah, entonces nos vemos pronto!Ah, then I will see you soon!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry al lado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
