Spanish Phrase
Sí, están justo al lado uno del otro.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘Yes, they are right next to each other.’ It confirms that two people or objects are positioned side by side, with ‘justo’ adding the nuance of exact proximity.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to affirm that two items, people, or places are directly adjacent. It’s common in everyday conversation, directions, or when describing how furniture is arranged.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Síestánjustoalladounodelotro
Sí (affirmation)
Used to answer positively to a yes‑no question; it can also start a confirming statement.
Están (estar, 3rd pl.)
The verb estar is used for temporary locations; here it tells where the subjects are.
Justo (adverb)
Adds precision, meaning ‘exactly’ or ‘right’; it intensifies the spatial relationship.
Al = a + el
A contraction that introduces the noun ‘lado’; it means ‘to the side of’.
Uno del otro (reciprocal phrase)
Literally ‘one of the other’, it is the set phrase used to say two things are opposite or side‑by‑side.
🗨In Conversation
¿Dónde están los dos libros?
Where are the two books?
Sí, están justo al lado uno del otro.
Yes, they are right next to each other.
✕Common Mistakes
Sí, son justo al lado uno del otro.
Use estar (están) for temporary location, not ser.
Sí, están justa al lado uno del otro.
‘Justo’ is an adverb here, not an adjective that must agree in gender.
Sí, están justo al lado del otro.
The correct reciprocal phrase is ‘uno del otro’, not ‘lado del otro’.
↔Alternatives
Sí, están justo uno al lado del otro.
Yes, they are exactly side by side.
Sí, están pegados.
Yes, they are stuck together.
Sí, están muy cerca.
Yes, they are very close.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish, the construction ‘uno al lado del otro’ is the go‑to way to describe objects placed side by side. Adding ‘justo’ emphasizes that there is no gap between them. In some regions you might also hear ‘uno junto al otro’, but ‘lado’ is the most neutral term across Spanish‑speaking countries.