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"Abajo" is an adverb which is often translated as "down", and "debajo" is an adverb which is often translated as "underneath". Learn more about the difference between "abajo" and "debajo" below.
abajo(
ah
-
bah
-
hoh
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (position)
b. below
Me gusta bastante ese cuadro, pero prefiero el que está abajo.I quite like that painting, but I prefer the one below.
c. underneath
Él durmió en la litera de arriba y yo abajo.He slept on the top bunk, and I slept underneath.
2. (direction)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Haz un boceto del edificio visto desde abajo.Draw a sketch of the building seen from below.
Íbamos para abajo en el elevador cuando se descompuso.We were going down in the elevator when it broke down.
5. (after noun)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
La canoa avanzaba río abajo.The canoe moved downriver.
La riada arrastró los carros calle abajo.The flood swept the cars down the road.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Todo el equipo fue despedido, de la coordinadora para abajo.The entire team was fired, from the coordinator down.
Aceptamos a niños de 12 años para abajo.We admit children aged 12 or under.
7. (in a text)
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
debajo(
deh
-
bah
-
hoh
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (below)
a. underneath
Antes de poner la carne en la parrilla, pon un plato debajo para colectar el aceite.Before you put the meat on the grill, put a dish underneath to catch the grease.
b. beneath
El océano es grande y nadie sabe lo que hay debajo.The ocean is vast and nobody knows what lies beneath.
