sobre
/ˈsobɾe/
The Spanish word for 'over' is sobre.
sobre is used to describe physical positioning, specifically meaning to be on top of or above something. Beyond physical location, it is also frequently used to mean 'about' or 'concerning' when referring to a topic, such as a book about history.
Meaning: physical positioning: on top of, above (prep)
Which one should you use?
While sobre implies a specific position of being on top of or over something, the preposition en is more general and can mean both 'in' or 'on' depending on the context. In colloquial speech, the expression arriba de is often used as a substitute for sobre.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsobɾe/
Did you know?
- The phrase sobremesa describes the tradition of staying at the table to talk and drink coffee after a meal has ended. It literally translates to 'over the table'.
- The word sobre is also the Spanish noun for 'envelope'. This is because an envelope is a wrapper that sits 'over' or 'on top of' the letter it contains.
- In legal or formal Spanish, sobre can be used to indicate an approximate time or quantity. For example, saying sobre las tres means 'around three o'clock'.
Examples in context
- Salté sobre la zanja.I jumped over the ditch.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of sobre with a movement over an object.Tatoeba #10082526 by manufrutos, translation #9799438 by CK
- Salta sobre la zanja.Jump over the ditch.This sentence shows how to use sobre in an imperative command.Tatoeba #10082530 by manufrutos, translation #9237653 by CK
- Ken saltó sobre la pared.Ken leaped over the wall.This sentence demonstrates the use of sobre to describe leaping over a physical barrier.Tatoeba #5153308 by albrusgher, translation #965555 by FeuDRenais2
- El libro está sobre la mesa.The book is over/on the table.
- Dejé las llaves arriba de la mesa.I left the keys over/on the table.
- El libro está encima.The book is over/on top.
- 137 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are looking for a book in the living room.
- JavierElena, ¿dónde está mi libro?Elena, where is my book?
- ElenaEstá sobre la mesa pequeña.It is on top of the small table.
- JavierNo lo veo sobre la mesa.I don't see it on the table.
- ElenaMira sobre el mantel rojo.Look over the red tablecloth.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “over” translations and entries sobre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
