A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Across from the church" in Spanish
Learn how to say 'across from the church' in Spanish. This simple phrase is essential for navigating city streets and finding landmarks.
Frente a la iglesia.
FREN-te ah lah ee-GLEH-syahneutral
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Use this when you are asking for directions or describing your current location to a taxi driver. It is perfect for pointing out a destination that sits directly opposite a prominent local church.
Alternatives
- Enfrente de la iglesiaUse this if you want to emphasize that it is directly facing the building.
- Cruzando la iglesiaUse this if you need to explain that you must cross the street to reach the church.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'frente' with 'frente a'
Always include the 'a' when indicating location; saying just 'frente la iglesia' sounds incomplete to a native speaker.
Mispronouncing the 'g'
The 'g' in iglesia is a soft 'h' sound, not a hard English 'g' like in 'go'.
A small cultural note
In many Latin American towns, the church is the central landmark of the main plaza, so using this phrase is often the most effective way to orient yourself.
Frequently asked
How do I ask if something is across from the church?
You can say '¿Está frente a la iglesia?' to confirm the location. It is a polite and direct way to verify you are in the right spot.
Is there a difference between frente and enfrente?
They are often used interchangeably in conversation to mean 'across from.' Both are perfectly acceptable when giving directions to a landmark.
What if there are two churches?
You should clarify by adding the name of the church or the street name. For example, say 'frente a la iglesia de San Francisco'.
