What does "enfrente de" mean?
The phrase "enfrente de" translates to "in front of" or "facing." It is used to indicate that something or someone is positioned directly opposite or across from a reference point. It is commonly used in both spatial and figurative contexts.
Examples
1.
El cine está enfrente de la biblioteca.
The cinema is in front of the library. (presente de indicativo)
The cinema is in front of the library. (presente de indicativo)
2.
¿Ves el edificio enfrente de la plaza?
Do you see the building in front of the square? (presente de indicativo — question)
Do you see the building in front of the square? (presente de indicativo — question)
3.
De niño, vivía enfrente de la escuela.
As a child, I lived in front of the school. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a child, I lived in front of the school. (imperfecto de indicativo)
4.
Se sentó enfrente de mí en el tren.
He sat in front of me on the train. (pretérito)
He sat in front of me on the train. (pretérito)
5.
Me sentaré enfrente de la pantalla.
I will sit in front of the screen. (futuro)
I will sit in front of the screen. (futuro)
6.
Me gustaría vivir enfrente de la playa si pudiera.
I would like to live in front of the beach if I could. (condicional simple)
I would like to live in front of the beach if I could. (condicional simple)
7.
No creo que esté enfrente de la oficina.
I don't think he's in front of the office. (presente de subjuntivo)
I don't think he's in front of the office. (presente de subjuntivo)
8.
Me pidió que me sentara enfrente de ella.
She asked me to sit in front of her. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
She asked me to sit in front of her. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
9.
¿Has visto el café enfrente del teatro?
Have you seen the café in front of the theater? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you seen the café in front of the theater? (perfecto de indicativo)
10.
Cuando llegué, ya estaba enfrente de la entrada.
When I arrived, he was already in front of the entrance. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When I arrived, he was already in front of the entrance. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
11.
Apenas hubo llegado, se colocó enfrente del escenario.
As soon as he arrived, he positioned himself in front of the stage. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
As soon as he arrived, he positioned himself in front of the stage. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
12.
Para cuando llegues, ya habré encontrado un asiento enfrente del escenario.
By the time you arrive, I will have found a seat in front of the stage. (futuro perfecto)
By the time you arrive, I will have found a seat in front of the stage. (futuro perfecto)
13.
Habría elegido enfrente de la ventana si hubiera sabido.
I would have chosen in front of the window if I had known. (potencial compuesto)
I would have chosen in front of the window if I had known. (potencial compuesto)
14.
Dudo que hayan puesto el puesto enfrente de la tienda sin permiso.
I doubt they put the stall in front of the shop without permission. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I doubt they put the stall in front of the shop without permission. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
Si hubiera sabido que te sentarías enfrente de mí, habría llegado antes.
If I had known you would sit in front of me, I would have arrived earlier. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If I had known you would sit in front of me, I would have arrived earlier. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)