The Preposition a
The preposition a usually means "to" or "at". It marks where you go, what time something happens and who receives something.
How It Works
1. Destination
Vou a Vigo (I am going to Vigo), Imos á praia (We are going to the beach). Where you already are takes en instead.
2. Clock time
Chego ás oito (I arrive at eight), Comemos á unha e media (We have lunch at half past one). See telling the time.
3. The person who receives something
Escribo a Marta (I write to Marta), Dou o libro ao profesor (I give the book to the teacher). Later you will often add a pronoun such as lle as well. See indirect object pronouns.
4. No a before most direct objects
Spanish puts a before a person who is the direct object. Galician usually does not: Chamo o médico (I call the doctor), Vexo os nenos (I see the children). See direct objects without a.
5. No a in ir + infinitive
To say what you are going to do, put the infinitive straight after ir: Vou estudar (I am going to study). See ir + infinitive.
Remember the contractions
Before an article, a joins it: ao, á, aos, ás.
Examples (6)
- Vou a Vigo o sábado.
I'm going to Vigo on Saturday.
Word by Word: I-go to Vigo the Saturday.
- Chego ás oito.
I arrive at eight.
Word by Word: I-arrive at-the eight.
- Escribo a Marta todas as semanas.
I write to Marta every week.
Word by Word: I-write to Marta all the weeks.
- Dou o libro ao profesor.
I give the book to the teacher.
Word by Word: I-give the book to-the teacher.
- Imos á praia?
Shall we go to the beach?
Word by Word: We-go to-the beach?
- Comemos á unha e media.
We have lunch at half past one.
Word by Word: We-eat at-the one and half.
Common Mistakes
Putting a before a direct object, as in Spanish.
Chamo ao médico.Chamo o médico.In Galician, a direct object usually takes no preposition, even when it is a person.
Adding a between ir and an infinitive.
Vou a estudar esta tarde.Vou estudar esta tarde.The phrase ir + infinitive has no a in Galician: vou estudar, imos comer.
Writing a and the article as two words for clock times.
Chego a as oito.Chego ás oito.A + as becomes ás, with an accent.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- a + o = aoContractions of a with the Article
A joins a following article: ao, á, aos, ás.
Level 1 - The Preposition en
En marks where you are, while a marks where you go.
Level 1 - que hora é?Telling the Time
Clock times use a: á unha, ás oito.
Level 1 - me / che / lle / nos / vos / llesIndirect Object Pronouns
The person marked with a is often repeated with lle or lles.
Level 2 - Direct Objects Without a
Explains why most direct objects take no a.
Level 3 - ir + InfinitiveGoing to: Ir + Infinitive
Ir + infinitive has no a: vou estudar.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice The Preposition a in Bubblegum
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