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How to Say "opposite" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “opposite” is “enfrente” — use 'enfrente' when indicating something is directly across from or facing you, often in a spatial sense..

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enfrente

/en-FREN-teh//enˈfɾente/

adverbA1general
Use 'enfrente' when indicating something is directly across from or facing you, often in a spatial sense.
Two brightly colored red chairs are placed directly opposite each other on a green lawn, separated by a narrow paved path, illustrating the concept of being opposite or across the way.

Examples

Mi casa está enfrente del parque.

My house is opposite the park.

El cine está justo enfrente.

The movie theater is right opposite/across the way.

Hay una farmacia enfrente de mi oficina.

There is a pharmacy across from my office.

Pusieron la mesa enfrente del sofá.

They put the table opposite the sofa.

Using 'enfrente' with 'de'

To specify what is opposite, always use 'enfrente de' followed by the person or thing (e.g., 'enfrente de la escuela').

Using 'enfrente' alone

You can use 'enfrente' by itself when the location is clear from context, meaning 'across the way' or 'opposite here' (e.g., 'El café está enfrente').

Confusing 'Enfrente' and 'Delante'

Mistake: “Using 'enfrente de' when you mean 'in front of' but not necessarily facing (e.g., 'el coche está enfrente de la casa' when the car is parked right against the front door).”

Correction: Use 'delante de' for 'in front of' (positional) and 'enfrente de' only when two things are facing each other or directly across from each other.

frente

/FREN-tay//ˈfɾen.te/

prepositional phraseA2general
Use 'frente a' (or 'en frente de') to describe something located in front of or facing another object, emphasizing proximity.
Two simple, identical figures sitting directly opposite each other across a small table.

Examples

El café está frente a la tienda.

The cafe is opposite the store.

Mi casa está frente al parque.

My house is in front of the park.

Se sentó frente a mí.

She sat opposite me.

Frente a este problema, debemos actuar.

In the face of this problem, we must act.

Contracting 'a + el'

When 'frente a' is followed by the masculine word 'el' (the), they combine to form 'al'. For example, 'frente a el parque' becomes 'frente al parque'.

opuesto

oh-PWEH-stoh/oˈpwesto/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'opuesto' to describe things that are on opposite sides, in opposing directions, or fundamentally contrary.
Two colorful houses on opposite sides of a narrow street, facing each other.

Examples

Vivimos en lados opuestos de la ciudad.

We live on opposite sides of the city.

Ella se sentó en el extremo opuesto de la mesa.

She sat at the opposite end of the table.

Matching the Noun

This word changes its ending depending on what you are describing: use 'opuesto' for masculine nouns, 'opuesta' for feminine, and add an 's' for plurals.

Using 'frente' vs 'opuesto'

Mistake: “Using 'frente' when you mean 'the other side of the spectrum'.”

Correction: Use 'opuesto' for things that are fundamentally different or on the reverse side; 'frente' is usually just for things physically in front of you.

contrario

/kon-TRAH-ree-oh//konˈtɾa.ɾjo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'contrario' when expressing an opposing opinion, idea, or nature, rather than a physical location.
A storybook illustration showing a bright red apple placed on the far left of a green hill and a bright blue apple placed on the far right of the same hill, emphasizing opposite positions.

Examples

Mi opinión es contraria a la suya.

My opinion is contrary to yours.

Fuimos en direcciones contrarias y nos perdimos.

We went in opposite directions and got lost.

La ley es contraria a mis principios.

The law is against my principles.

Changing Forms

As an adjective, 'contrario' must match the noun it describes in number and gender: 'una idea contraria' (feminine singular) or 'dos puntos contrarios' (masculine plural).

altura

ahl-TOO-rah/alˈtu.ɾa/

nounB1general
Use 'a la altura de' to mean 'across from' or 'at the level of', often implying a point in time or a comparable standard.
A brightly colored hot air balloon positioned high up in the clear blue sky over a green landscape, demonstrating its level or position.

Examples

A esta altura del partido, ya no podemos ganar.

At this point/stage of the game, we can no longer win.

El coche se detuvo a la altura del semáforo.

The car stopped level with (or opposite) the traffic light.

Positional Use

When you use 'a la altura de' (at the height of), it describes something being directly across from or on the same plane as another object.

Location vs. Idea

The most common mistake is confusing spatial terms like 'enfrente' and 'opuesto' with conceptual opposites like 'contrario'. Remember that 'enfrente' and 'frente a' are primarily for physical placement across from something, while 'contrario' deals with opposing ideas or natures.

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