uno al lado del otro
/uno al lado del otɾo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "next to each other" is translated as uno al lado del otro.
The phrase is used to describe two or more people or things positioned side by side. You may also use lado a lado to mean "side by side". In informal speech, the word pegados can be used to convey close physical proximity, meaning "next to" or "side by side".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase uno al lado del otro literally translates to "one at the side of the other".
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a group of men or a mixed-gender group, the phrase changes to unos al lado de los otros to use the masculine forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/uno al lado del otɾo/
Did you know?
- While uno al lado del otro describes position, the word pegados comes from the verb pegar, meaning 'to glue'.
- Using pegados to mean 'next to each other' can imply a romantic or overly intimate proximity depending on the context.
- The word lado is a cognate with the English word 'latitude', which refers to the distance of a place north or south of the equator.
Examples in context
- Nos sentamos uno al lado del otro.We sat next to each other.This sentence shows how to use uno al lado del otro when describing people sitting together.Tatoeba #3195861 by Shishir, translation #10121588 by DJ_Saidez
- Se dice que dos puntos conectados por un segmento de línea son adyacentes o uno al lado del otro.Two points connected by a line segment are said to be adjacent or next to each other.This sentence uses uno al lado del otro to describe the geometric relationship between two points.Tatoeba #10358897 by carlosalberto, translation #10358889 by carlosalberto
- Los libros están colocados uno junto a otro en la estantería.The books are placed next to each other on the shelf.
- Las sillas están situadas una al lado de la otra en la sala de conferencias.The chairs are placed next to each other in the conference room.
- Mi hermana y yo dormimos pegados en la misma cama.My sister and I sleep next to each other in the same bed.
- Los niños caminan lado a lado por el parque.The children walk side by side through the park.
- Pusimos los dos cuadros uno al lado del otro.We placed the two pictures next to each other.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are arranging chairs in a room.
- ElenaPon las sillas uno al lado del otro.Put the chairs next to each other.
- AlejandroEstá bien, lo haré ahora mismo.Okay, I will do it right now.
- Elena¿Ya quedaron uno al lado del otro?Are they next to each other now?
- AlejandroSí, Elena, ya están alineadas.Yes, Elena, they are aligned now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries del, lado, otro, uno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
