What is the difference between encima and sobre and how does one know when to use each?

Question

I am confused when to use the 'encima' and when to use 'sobre' to descibe a person on something- such as El muchacho esta encima de la mesa and El hombre esta sobre la casa

How do you know when to use one or the other? Thank you.

Answer 1

Although they are interchangeable Encima de is more commonly used to say someone or something is on top of something. Sobre can mean over or about for instance there is a spanish film starring Penelope Cruz called "Todo sobre mi madre" All about my mother and as a noun un sobre means a envelope which you use to post a letter.

I'm early in my Spanish studies, so when I read "Todo sobre mi madre" I first saw "everyone's on top of my mother". So I thought, "Penelope Cruz's made a porno about her mom?" Nevermind... I clearly need to go study... - Brain2000, May 4, 2016

lol!! I can relate. Thanks for the question - AimeePhil55, Mar 30, 2017

Answer 2

'encima de' is closer to 'on top of', and 'sobre' is a bit more vague, basically meaning 'over' or 'above'.

Answer 3

Encima is an adverb. Sobre is a preposition. The dictionary will give you usage examples from the phrasebook.

Answer 4

sobre [so’-bray] preposition 1. Above (encima de), over (cantidad).

This is the definition from this site...so the confusion is understandable.