en el suelo
/en el swelo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "on the ground" is translated into Spanish as en el suelo.
en el suelo is used to describe something touching or resting on the surface of the floor or the earth. Related expressions include a ras de suelo for "at ground level", sobre el terreno for "on the terrain" and Caerse al suelo for "to fall to the ground". Additionally, Andar por tierra is used to mean "to travel by land".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition en (in/on), the masculine article el (the) and the noun suelo (floor/ground/soil).
Which one should you use?
While en el suelo can refer to being "on the floor" when indoors or "on the ground" when outdoors, it is the standard way to express being in contact with the surface of the earth.
When do people say it?
The phrase tener los pies en el suelo is used idiomatically to describe a person who is realistic or sensible, mirroring the English expression "to have one's feet on the ground".
Did you know?
- While suelo refers to the ground, it is also the first person present form of the verb soler, meaning 'to be in the habit of'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, estar por los suelos is used to describe someone who is feeling deeply depressed or extremely low.
- The Spanish word suelo shares a common Latin ancestor, solum, with the English word 'sole', referring to the bottom of a foot or a shoe.
Examples in context
- Tom señaló algo en el suelo.Tom pointed at something on the ground.This example shows how to use en el suelo to indicate where something is being pointed at.Tatoeba #4185503 by Leono, translation #2640966 by CK
- Hay grandes rocas en el suelo.There are big stones on the ground.This sentence uses en el suelo to describe the location of rocks.Tatoeba #1467851 by marcelostockle, translation #1008566 by makarov
- Él no tiene los pies en el suelo.He doesn't have his feet on the ground.This sentence illustrates the idiomatic use of en el suelo regarding someone being realistic.Tatoeba #1678292 by teskmon, translation #301001 by CK
- La bolsa cayó al suelo.The bag fell on the ground.
- Por favor, coloque los objetos en el suelo.Please place the objects on the ground.
- Tira la pelota en el piso.Throw the ball on the ground.
- Los niños juegan en la tierra.The children play on the ground.
- Se tropezó y cayó al suelo.He stumbled and fell to the ground.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are cleaning the living room.
- Javier¿Viste mi teléfono, María?Did you see my phone, María?
- MaríaCreo que está en el suelo.I think it is on the ground.
- JavierSí, lo encontré en el suelo.Yes, I found it on the ground.
- MaríaQué bueno que apareció.I'm glad it showed up.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, en, suelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
