Sobre

[mikemacabre]

The word sobre in these sentences means 'on '

El radio está sobre la silla.
La manzana está sobre la laptop.
El gato está sobre la mesa.
La Laptop está sobre la mesa.

I've been around people who speak Spanish but I've never heard that word before but then again my peers don't really speak correct Spanish. Its watered down. Slang/Tex Mex kind of. If I saw the word and did not care to learn it. I would of thought it meant sober. Just cause of the way it's spelled. What I want to know is would sobre be your choice of word for 'on' or 'on top'... 'above'. Or would you use another word. Like 'en' which can also mean 'in'.

[chileno]

on/over = en/encima/sobre

I cannot think of a phrase where I'd choose "sobre", I think I always use "encima".

[mikemacabre]

Originally Posted by chileno

on/over = en/encima/sobre

I cannot think of a phrase where I'd choose "sobre", I think I always use "encima".

Thank you chileno.

[Don José]

So do I. In your examples: encima de la silla, etc.

I think it's true that you won't hear "sobre" with this meaning in spoken Spanish very often, but it is commonly used in literature.

[mikemacabre]

Thanks Don José.

Would you have understood If I said that to you guys in person?

I'm glad I asked the question. Even though sobre is correct. I don't want to sound like I learned straight a text book.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@Mike: Everyone would understand what you mean. And although "encima de" might make a sentence sound a little less formal, the use of "sobre" does not imply a stiff formal sentence.

[mikemacabre]

Is sobre the word you would use Angelica?

Like say in person. I asked you "¿Donde está mi gato?" Your reply would be "El gato está sobre la mesa."

but I understand what you mean and appreciate everyones feed back.

[chileno]

We tend to use "sobre" to mean "about". Sobre and acerca would be the words of choice when talking about you...

[mikemacabre]

Acerca is a word I know but forgot. So thanks.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@Mike: I tend to use "encima de" and "sobre" mostly indistinctively. Perhaps "encima de" would be my first choice for an object on top of another (both physical objects) though. And probably for the cat example I might just point out and say "ahí, en la mesa".

Some more examples:
·¿Sabes si dejé mis llaves encima de / sobre / en la mesa? -> Do you know if I left my keys on the table?
·Quiero una lámpara que me dé buena luz sobre el escritorio. -> I want a lamp that would light up well my desk. ("En el escritorio" would be understood in context, but as light doesn't touch it, "sobre" would be much better.)
·De noche, sobre / en el puente, sale un fantasma. -> At nights, over the bridge, one can see a ghost. (As the ghost is not a physical object, I tend to avoid "encima de". "Arriba de" might imply the ghost flies above the bridge, but context might set the meaning clear.)
·Recogí una pulsera del suelo; te la dejo aquí, encima de / sobre / en la repisa, para que no se pierda. -> I picked up a wristchain from the floor, I'll leave it here on top of the shelf so it won't get lost.

By the way, it's great that you make your own examples and sentences. Way to go!


Also, check Chileno's suggestion about that other meaning of "sobre"/"acerca de".

[mikemacabre]

Those are some super examples on when to use sobre and encima de... "Ahí, en la mesa." I thought that was clever and prolly the best way to answer that particular question.

My example of acerca de
Ella habla acerca de usted - She talks about you.
Ella habla mal acerca de usted - She talks bad about you.


Arriba. Another word I forgot. When I saw it I was reminded of that song from Azul Azul - Bomba "para arriba para arriba para abajo para abajo"

[poli]

Sobre todo es bueno saber que hay varios modos de decir una cosa, y es bueno variar las palabras que escoges.