Directional statements
A little something I was wondering, inspired by a question I saw yesterday. I think Jeezzle was asking a question having to do with "around me." He suggested something using "Alrededor de mí." Now, I have always seen " A mi alrededor" in this context, but I know in Spanish there can be many different constructions. What I was wondering is, can many directional statements be used interchangeably. For example does "detrás de mí" = "A mí detrás."
3 Answers
I have seen and heard both of these statements used:
"Alrededor de mí"
"A mi alrededor"
Hi, pescador!
Alrededor de mí: it's okay
A mi alrededor: is perfect and common
Detrás de mí: perfect
A mi detrás: I don't think this is correct, although
A mis espaldas; is correct
Delante de mí: perfect
These phrases (locuciones) accept various constructions depending on whether their nuclei are nouns or adverbs. Adverbs always require prepositional complements (e.g. de mí), whereas nouns accept both prepositional complements and possessive adjectives (adjectives can't modify an adverb), e.g. mi alrededor, alrededor de mí.
detrás (adv): only "detrás de mí" ("detrás mío" is not correct, although people say it; no one ever says "mi detrás)
delante (adv): only delante de mí
alrededor (al + rededor, noun): it accepts all three constructions: mi alrededor, alrededor mío, alrededor de mí.
lado (noun): it accepts all three constructions: al lado mío, a mi lado, al lado de mí.
So just check in a dictionary what type of word it is, and then you'll know how to use it. I can't think of any exception to this.
For example does "detrás de mí" = "A mí detrás."
Careful! In "de mí", that "mí" is pronounced with a clear stress (as if it was in capitals in a forum, almost shouting), while in "a mi detrás" is pronounced without any stress, as if it was part of a word "amidetrás". Therefore, no stress, no written accent.
