Preposition "sobre" in Spanish (on/on top of/above/about) - general use

Learn about preposition "sobre" in Spanish

The preposition "sobre" in Spanish has different meanings but the most common ones are: "on/on top of/above/about". 

Location

We use sobre to express on/on top of something. For example:

In this case, it has the same meaning as the preposition "en" (on) in Spanish, e.g. Hay unas cartas en la mesa/sobre la mesa.

We can also use sobre for "above/over":

As a synonym of "sobre" we can also use "por encima de", meaning the same:

Time

When we want to say at about/around [a time] the preposition sobre can also be used. For example:

Remember to use the article after sobre if you are saying at about a certain time (sobre la una, sobre las siete...)

Note that sometimes we use the preposition "hacia" with this same meaning. See also Preposition "hacia" in Spanish (towards/around) - general use

Meaning "about something/a subject"

A more frequently-used synonym for sobre in this case is "de":

Not to be confused with the masculine noun "el sobre" that means "envelope":

See also:

• Preposition "con" in Spanish (with) - General use
• Preposition "a" in Spanish (to) - general use
• Preposition "sin" in Spanish (without) - General use
• Preposition "en" in Spanish (on/in/inside/at) - general use