Preposition "de"

Question

I know 'de' is used in many more instances than just where it would translate as "of" or "from" in English, but can somebody explain to me the patterns/rules around how it is used? This kind of ties in with 'a' and 'que' as well... Naturally, they don't always translate and often Spanish textbooks don't really deal with these kinds of details even at more advanced levels. Thanks to anyone who can help!

Answer 1

de

...or de

I think you mean to link to the definition of de (though I'm not sure), but, just to let you know, you linked right back to this thread. I clicked on it several times before figuring this out. XD - webdunce, Sep 18, 2010

That's not like Q. Someone call his house and see if he is alright. - LateToDinner, Sep 18, 2010

Normally I wouldn't interfere in a Q answer, but he can erase me when he gets back so plugged in a possible choice. - LateToDinner, Sep 18, 2010

Answer 2

Try to teach a Spanish speaker what do you use "to" for in English. You'll spend hours, and in the end they'll be more confused than they were to start with, and that's just because "to" means many things, and it has several uses that Spanish has no use for, and therefore, no equivalent. Go and write a book about the "infinite" uses of "to" in English for Spanish speakers, but it will be of no practical use.

A book about "de" in Spanish will accomplish something similar: nothing.

You learn a language through sentences in context, not by starting on a word with countless abstract uses, and trying to extrapolate to the entire language.

That´s especially true of prepositions, which often describe asbstract things. - BellaMargarita, Sep 18, 2010