pasado mañana

Lemma Details

Translation: the day after tomorrow

Part of Speech: adverb

Etymology: Composed of 'pasado' (past) and 'mañana' (tomorrow). The construction literally means 'past tomorrow', indicating a day that is beyond tomorrow. This construction follows a logical time sequence pattern in Spanish where time is conceptualized as moving forward from the present.

Commonality: 80%

Guessability: 60%

Register: neutral

Mnemonics

  • Think of it as 'past tomorrow' - the day that is past (beyond) tomorrow.
  • Visualize walking past a sign labeled 'mañana' to reach the day after.

Related Words, Phrases & Idioms

mañana

Unknown

No translation

ayer

Unknown

No translation

al día siguiente

Unknown

No translation

Synonyms

dentro de dos días

Unknown

No translation

Antonyms

anteayer

Unknown

No translation

Cultural Context

This expression is commonly used in everyday Spanish conversation when making plans or discussing future events. Unlike English, which requires three words ('the day after tomorrow'), Spanish efficiently expresses this concept in just two words.

Easily Confused With

mañana pasada

Unknown

No translation

Commonality: 0%

Explanation: 'Pasado mañana' means 'the day after tomorrow', while 'mañana pasada' would mean 'past morning' or 'the morning that has passed'.

Notes: The position of 'pasado' changes the meaning completely. Before 'mañana', it functions as a preposition meaning 'beyond'; after a noun, it functions as an adjective meaning 'past'.

Mnemonic: Word order matters: 'pasado mañana' (word order: past + tomorrow) = future time; 'mañana pasada' (word order: morning + past) = past time