enfrente

Enfrente is a Spanish adverb and prepositional term used to indicate spatial relations such as “in front of” or “opposite.” It derives from the combination of en + frente and is commonly used to describe something that faces or lies on the opposite side of another object.

In everyday usage, enfrente can modify a noun directly or appear with de to specify the reference point. Examples include: la casa enfrente de la mía (the house opposite mine), la tienda que está enfrente (the shop across the street), or ¿qué hay enfrente? (what is in front?). It is also common to say la casa de enfrente to refer to the house across from one’s own. Enfrente can stand alone as an adverbial locator, as in El edificio está enfrente.

Synonyms and related expressions include delante and frente a, which convey similar front-facing or opposing relations but with subtle nuances. Delante tends to emphasize proximity or positioning in front, while enfrente and frente a highlight the act of facing or facing toward something.

Usage notes: enfrente is typically used in reference to physical positions and orientation, rather than abstract preceding order. While many speakers use enfrente interchangeably with delante in casual speech, some contexts favor “de enfrente” or “que está enfrente” to specify the object’s location relative to another. The term can appear in regional variants and is sometimes found in toponyms or literary titles, where it retains its spatial sense.

See also: frente, delante, frente a.