dentro de
Lemma Details
Translation: inside; within; in; during; within the span of
Part of Speech: preposition
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'de intro' meaning 'from within'. 'Dentro' comes from 'de' (from) + 'intro' (inside, within), while 'de' is a preposition indicating relation. The combination creates a spatial or temporal relationship that indicates position or time frame.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El libro está dentro de la mochila.
The book is inside the backpack.
Llegaremos dentro de una hora.
We will arrive within an hour.
Viven dentro de los límites de la ciudad.
They live within the city limits.
Dentro de este contexto, su comentario tiene sentido.
Within this context, his comment makes sense.
El examen será dentro de tres días.
The exam will be in three days.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'dentro' as 'enter' with a 'd' - you enter to go inside.
- For the time meaning, imagine a clock with events happening 'within' its face.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Used very frequently in Spanish for both spatial and temporal references. The temporal use (meaning 'within' a time period) is particularly important in everyday conversation and can be confusing for English speakers who might use different prepositions for time references.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'en' can sometimes be translated as 'in', 'dentro de' specifically emphasizes being inside or within something. 'En' is more general and can refer to location, state, or manner.
Confused word:
El gato está en la caja.
The cat is in the box.
Notes: For physical containment, both can sometimes be used, but 'dentro de' emphasizes the interior nature.
Mnemonic: 'Dentro de' contains 'entro' (I enter) - you enter to go inside something specific.
Explanation: 'Durante' refers specifically to duration throughout a period, while 'dentro de' for time indicates something will happen within a timeframe but not necessarily throughout it.
Notes: For future events, 'dentro de' is commonly used to indicate when something will happen.
Mnemonic: 'Durante' sounds like 'duration' - it's about the entire time period. 'Dentro de' is about something happening at some point within that period.