Entre, Hacia, and Contra: Between, Toward, and Against
Quick Answer: 'Entre' means between/among (uses subject pronouns: entre tú y yo, not 'entre ti y mí'). 'Hacia' means toward (direction, no arrival). 'Contra' means against (opposition, physical contact).
Three prepositions for spatial and abstract relationships
Category: Prepositions
The Rule
'Entre' means between/among (uses subject pronouns: entre tú y yo, not 'entre ti y mí'). 'Hacia' means toward (direction, no arrival). 'Contra' means against (opposition, physical contact).
Why This Matters
These three prepositions are relatively straightforward but have quirks. 'Entre' uniquely takes subject pronouns (tú/yo) instead of object pronouns (ti/mí), which surprises even native speakers sometimes. 'Hacia' indicates direction without implying arrival, unlike 'a.'
Examples
• Está entre tú y yo. — "It's between you and me." [Entre uses subject pronouns (tú y yo, not ti y mí)] • Caminamos hacia el lago. — "We walked toward the lake." [Hacia: direction, not necessarily arriving] • Jugó contra el mejor equipo. — "He played against the best team." [Contra: opposition] • Entre semana trabajo; los fines de semana descanso. — "During the week I work; on weekends I rest." [Entre semana = during the week (fixed expression)]
Common Mistakes
❌ entre ti y mí ✅ entre tú y yo → 'Entre' is one of the only prepositions that takes subject pronouns (tú, yo) instead of object pronouns (ti, mí). This is a formal grammar rule, though colloquially some speakers use 'entre tú y mí.' ❌ Fui hacia la tienda. (meaning 'I went to the store and arrived') ✅ Fui a la tienda. → 'Hacia' implies movement in a direction but not necessarily arrival. For actual arrival at a destination, use 'a.'
Quick Tip
Hacia can also express approximate time: 'hacia las tres' (around three o'clock). And 'en contra de' is the prepositional phrase for 'against' in the abstract sense: 'Estoy en contra de esa idea' (I'm against that idea).
Hacia can also express approximate time: 'hacia las tres' (around three o'clock). And 'en contra de' is the prepositional phrase for 'against' in the abstract sense: 'Estoy en contra de esa idea' (I'm against that idea).
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: entre ti y mí → Correct: entre tú y yo. 'Entre' is one of the only prepositions that takes subject pronouns (tú, yo) instead of object pronouns (ti, mí). This is a formal grammar rule, though colloquially some speakers use 'entre tú y mí.'
Incorrect: Fui hacia la tienda. (meaning 'I went to the store and arrived') → Correct: Fui a la tienda.. 'Hacia' implies movement in a direction but not necessarily arrival. For actual arrival at a destination, use 'a.'
Quiz
'The ball hit against the wall.' Which is correct?