desde
Lemma Details
Translation: from; since; as of; starting from
Part of Speech: preposition
Etymology: Desde evolved from the Latin phrase 'de ex de', meaning 'from out from'. It's a compound of the Latin prepositions 'de' (from) and 'ex' (out of), which merged over time. This etymology reveals why 'desde' has a stronger sense of a starting point than the simple 'de' (from).
Commonality: 95%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Vivo en Madrid desde 2010.
I have lived in Madrid since 2010.
El tren sale desde la estación central.
The train departs from the central station.
Desde mi ventana puedo ver el mar.
From my window I can see the sea.
Trabajo desde casa los lunes.
I work from home on Mondays.
Desde pequeño quería ser médico.
Since I was little, I wanted to be a doctor.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'desde' as 'descending from' a starting point.
- The 'des' in 'desde' can remind you of 'descent' - coming from somewhere.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
A fundamental preposition in Spanish that's used in many time and space expressions. Understanding the distinction between 'desde' and 'de' is important for expressing origins and starting points correctly.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both 'desde' and 'de' can be translated as 'from', 'desde' specifically emphasizes a starting point in time or space, while 'de' has broader uses including possession, origin, material, etc.
Confused word:
Soy de España.
I am from Spain.
Notes: 'Desde' often pairs with 'hasta' (until/to) to express a range, while 'de' often pairs with 'a' for similar purposes.
Mnemonic: 'Desde' is longer than 'de', suggesting it covers a longer distance or time span.
Explanation: 'Desde' means 'from/since' (a starting point), while 'después' means 'after' (following something in sequence).
Notes: Both relate to time, but 'desde' marks the beginning of a period, while 'después' indicates following a specific point.
Mnemonic: Think of 'después' as 'de-spues' - coming after something has passed.