What does "frente a" mean?
The phrase "frente a" 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 banco está frente a la plaza.
The bank is in front of the square. (presente de indicativo)
The bank is in front of the square. (presente de indicativo)
2.
¿Ves el edificio frente al parque?
Do you see the building in front of the park? (presente de indicativo — question)
Do you see the building in front of the park? (presente de indicativo — question)
3.
De niño, vivía frente al mar.
As a child, I lived in front of the sea. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a child, I lived in front of the sea. (imperfecto de indicativo)
4.
Se colocó frente a la pantalla.
He positioned himself in front of the screen. (pretérito)
He positioned himself in front of the screen. (pretérito)
5.
Me sentaré frente a la ventana.
I will sit in front of the window. (futuro)
I will sit in front of the window. (futuro)
6.
Me gustaría vivir frente a 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 frente a la oficina.
I don't think he is in front of the office. (presente de subjuntivo)
I don't think he is in front of the office. (presente de subjuntivo)
8.
Me pidió que me sentara frente a 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 frente al 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 frente a 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 frente al 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 frente al 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 frente a 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 frente a 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 frente a 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)