de
Lemma Details
Translation: of; from; about; by; with
Part of Speech: preposition
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'de' meaning 'from, away from, down from, out of'. This preposition has maintained its core meaning while expanding its usage in Spanish. It's one of the most fundamental prepositions in Spanish, similar to how 'of' functions in English, though with broader applications.
Commonality: 100%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'de' as the starting point - things come 'from' somewhere
- Remember that 'de' often translates to 'of' in English possession structures
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
One of the most frequently used words in Spanish. It appears in countless expressions and constructions, and mastering its various uses is essential for Spanish fluency. Unlike English, Spanish uses 'de' to express possession (e.g., 'el libro de Juan' for 'Juan's book').
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both 'de' and 'desde' can translate to 'from', 'desde' specifically indicates a starting point in time or space, emphasizing the origin or beginning point. 'De' is more general and has many more uses.
This word:
Soy de España
I am from Spain
Confused word:
Trabajo desde las ocho
I work from eight o'clock
Notes: 'De' is much more common and versatile than 'desde'
Mnemonic: 'Desde' is 'de' with extra letters - it gives extra specificity about the starting point
Explanation: Both 'de' and 'por' can indicate cause or means, but 'por' typically indicates reason, duration, or exchange, while 'de' indicates origin, possession, or material.
This word:
La mesa de madera
The wooden table
Confused word:
Lo hice por ti
I did it for you
Notes: The distinction between 'por' and 'de' is one of the most challenging aspects of Spanish prepositions for English speakers
Mnemonic: Think of 'por' as 'for' in English - they sound similar and often have similar uses