detrás, de, behind?
I am just reading my spanish phase book.
When asking directions they use the word "de" after the word "detras" If I translate correctly this means "of" which then translate to "behind off" where we would say "behind the"
Am I understanding this correctly/
3 Answers
If you must translate the "de" then translate "behind" as "in back of" as many phrases for detrás employ "back"
behind the door...in back of the door.
If you use "detrás" by itself, you use no "de". If you follow "detrás" with an object, then you must use "de". Examples: "El coche está detrás de la casa" (The car is in back of the house. "Tu casa se ubica detrás de la universidad? (Is your house behind the university? Conversely: "Dónde te encuentras? Delante de la farmacia o detrás? (Where are you? In front of the pharmacy or in back?) "Mi carpeta no está encima de la computadora; está detrás (My folder isn't on top of the computer;it's in back)....This same concept works for all of the prepositions of location that involve "de", such as: Cerca de/cerca; delante de/delante; encima de/encima; al lado de/al lado; lejos de/lejos; atrás de/atrás....Once you get the hang of it, you'll see how simple the pattern is. Suerte!
Yes I suppose. Spanish uses prepositions differently than English.
Words that express a place/direction are always followed by 'de'.
Abajo de, enfrente de, a la izquierda de, detras de, etc.
