junto a
Lemma Details
Translation: next to; beside; alongside; near; close to
Part of Speech: preposition
Etymology: The preposition 'junto a' comes from the Spanish adjective 'junto' (meaning 'together' or 'joined'), which derives from Latin 'iunctus', the past participle of 'iungere' (to join or connect). The English words 'junction', 'conjunction', and 'join' share this Latin root. The 'a' is the Spanish preposition meaning 'to' or 'at', so 'junto a' literally means 'joined to'.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'junto' as related to 'junction' in English - a place where things join or come together.
- Visualize standing 'junto a' (next to) someone at a junction or meeting point.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This preposition is used frequently in everyday Spanish to indicate physical proximity. It's a fundamental spatial preposition that learners encounter early in their studies.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Junto a' indicates physical proximity (next to, beside), while 'junto con' means 'together with' and indicates accompaniment rather than just location.
Notes: When 'junto a' is followed by 'el', it contracts to 'junto al' (e.g., 'junto al río' = 'next to the river').
Mnemonic: 'Junto a' is about place (a = at), 'junto con' is about company (con = with).
Explanation: While both indicate proximity, 'junto a' implies direct adjacency or being right next to something, whereas 'cerca de' indicates general nearness but not necessarily direct contact or adjacency.
Confused word:
Vivo cerca de la universidad, a unos diez minutos caminando.
I live near the university, about ten minutes walking distance.
Notes: 'Junto a' implies more immediate proximity than 'cerca de'.
Mnemonic: Think of 'junto a' as touching or adjoining, while 'cerca de' means in the vicinity.