en
vs
encima de

QUICK ANSWER

"En" is a form of "en", a preposition which is often translated as "in". "Encima de" is a phrase which is often translated as "on". Learn more about the difference between "en" and "encima de" below.

en(

ehn

)

A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).

preposition

1. (indicating place)

a. in

Hay comida ya preparada en el supermercado.There's ready-made food in the supermarket.

b. on

Puedes poner los cubiertos en la mesa.You can put the silverware on the table.

c. at

Los niños están en la escuela.The kids are at school.

2. (indicating time)

a. in

En 1969 aterrizamos en la luna.In 1969, we landed on the moon.

3. (indicating mode)

a. in

Si un oso te persigue, corre en zigzag.If a bear is chasing you, run in a zig-zag formation.

4. (transport)

a. by

No vinimos en avión; vinimos en tren.We didn't come by plane. We came by train.

5. (concerning)

a. about

¿En qué piensas?What are you thinking about?

encima de(

)

A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).

phrase

1. (on the surface of)

a. on

¿De quién son esos libros que hay encima del sofá? - Son míos, ahora los quito.Whose books are those on the sofa? - They're mine. I'll take them off in a minute.

b. on top of

Las llaves están encima de la mesa.The keys are on top of the table.

2. (over)

a. above

Vivimos en el apartamento encima de la tienda.We live in the apartment above the store.

SpanishDictionary.com is the world's most popular Spanish-English dictionary, translation, and learning website.

Ver en español en inglés.com

FEATURES