en la pared
/en la paɾed/from spelling rules
The English phrase "on the wall" is translated into Spanish as en la pared.
This phrase is used to describe an object that is attached to or touching a vertical interior surface of a building.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition en (on/in), the article la (the) and the noun pared (wall).
How do you pronounce it?
/en la paɾed/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use sobre la pared to mean "on the wall". Instead, use en la pared to describe something that is attached to or touching the surface.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase está contra la pared means to be 'against the wall'. It is used idiomatically to describe someone who is in a desperate situation with no way out.
- While pared refers to the interior surface, an outdoor wall or a perimeter wall is often called a muro. Using en la pared for a garden wall might sound slightly unnatural to a native speaker.
- The Spanish word pared shares a common ancestor with the English word 'parapet', which refers to a low protective wall along the edge of a roof or balcony.
Examples in context
- No está en la pared.It's not on the wall.This sentence is useful for stating that something is not located on the wall using en la pared.Tatoeba #6627209 by Schuager, translation #6627208 by Schuager
- Lo colgó en la pared.He hung it on the wall.This sentence is useful for describing the action of hanging something on the wall using en la pared.Tatoeba #1767567 by marcelostockle, translation #770108 by marloncori
- Hay moscas en la pared.There are some flies on the wall.This sentence is useful for noting the presence of flies on the wall using en la pared.Tatoeba #2662091 by marcelostockle, translation #35497 by CK
- El cuadro está en la paredThe painting is on the wall
- Puse el cartel en la paredI hung the poster on the wall
- El póster está en el muroThe poster is on the wall
- Colgué el cuadro en la paredI hung the painting on the wall
- Puse los adornos en la paredI placed the decorations on the wall
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are decorating their new living room.
- Lucía¿Dónde ponemos este espejo?Where do we put this mirror?
- JavierPonlo en la pared, Lucía.Put it on the wall, Lucía.
- LucíaEstá muy alto en la pared.It is very high on the wall.
- JavierNo te preocupes, yo lo sujeto.Don't worry, I'll hold it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, la, pared, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
