What is the difference between "desde" and "de"?

Question

I am finding the terms can be used interchangeably. I understand that desde is often traslated as "since" but in many instances it is still translated as "from" or "of" - similar to the translation of de. Is it a good bet to use desde in relation to time and de in relation to space?

Answer 1

No, it is not a good idea. Desde can imply both, time or space.

But desde, for example, cannot express possession, as "de"

Este bolso es de María.

Usually it is said that Desde= since, from; and De= of. But this is not a universal rule.

"....an universal rule" should be "...a universal.rule." - --Mariana--, Sep 30, 2010

....because the word "universal" begins with a consonant sound. - --Mariana--, Sep 30, 2010

Thanks, Marianne! - cogumela, Sep 30, 2010

Answer 2

Desde can also be used for a location, such as from a window. As far as I know, all expressions that use desde for from can also use de (perhaps with other changes), but the reverse is not true: de is used more broadly in this sense.

Answer 3

Good question. I was just wondering the same thing today.