fuera de
Lemma Details
Translation: outside of; beyond; apart from; except for; out of
Part of Speech: preposition
Etymology: Derived from 'fuera' (outside) + 'de' (of/from). 'Fuera' comes from Latin 'foras' meaning 'outdoors' or 'outside', which is related to Latin 'foris' (door, entrance). This connection to doors and thresholds helps understand the concept of being beyond a boundary or limit.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El perro está fuera de la casa.
The dog is outside the house.
Este tema está fuera de mi conocimiento.
This topic is beyond my knowledge.
Fuera de Juan, todos vinieron a la fiesta.
Except for Juan, everyone came to the party.
El paciente está fuera de peligro.
The patient is out of danger.
Estás completamente fuera de lugar con ese comentario.
You are completely out of line with that comment.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'fuera' as 'far away' to remember it means 'outside'
- Associate 'fuera de' with stepping through a door to the exterior
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Used frequently in everyday Spanish in both literal spatial contexts and figurative expressions. The phrase appears in many common expressions that describe states of being outside normal parameters.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Fuera de' is a preposition requiring an object, while 'afuera' is an adverb meaning 'outside' that stands alone.
Confused word:
El gato está afuera.
The cat is outside.
Notes: 'Fuera de' establishes a relationship between two elements, while 'afuera' simply indicates location.
Mnemonic: 'Fuera de' needs something after it (like 'out of the box'), while 'afuera' stands alone (just 'outside').
Explanation: 'Fuera' alone can be an adverb meaning 'outside' or a command meaning 'get out', while 'fuera de' is always a preposition requiring an object.
Confused word:
¡Fuera! No quiero verte.
Get out! I don't want to see you.
Notes: 'Fuera' has multiple functions depending on context, while 'fuera de' specifically indicates being outside of or beyond something.
Mnemonic: When you see 'fuera' followed by 'de', you're establishing a relationship with something outside a boundary.