across
vs
down

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"Across" is a preposition which is often translated as "a través de", and "down" is an adverb which is often translated as "abajo". Learn more about the difference between "across" and "down" below.

across(

kras

)

A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).

preposition

1. (from one side to the other)

a. a través de

We drove across Los Angeles.Manejamos a través de Los Ángeles.

b. de un lado a otro

He walked across the store looking for the perfect toy for his son.Fue de un lado a otro de la tienda buscando el juguete ideal para su hijo.

2. (on the other side of)

a. enfrente de

My best friend lives across the street from us.Mi mejor amigo vive enfrente de nosotros.

b. al otro lado de

They live across town.Viven al otro lado del pueblo.

3. (throughout)

a. por

We traveled across Baja California.Viajamos por Baja California

b. en todo

The president promised peace across the country.El presidente prometió paz en todo el país.

c. por todo

The population is evenly distributed across the region.La población está uniformemente distribuida por toda la región.

4. (over)

a. sobre

There was a bridge across the river but it was hit by a bomb a few days ago.Había un puente sobre el río pero fue alcanzado por una bomba unos días atrás.

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).

adverb

5. (from one side to the other)

a. cruzar

Once we reached the river, we swam across.Cuando llegamos al río, lo cruzamos a nado.

6. (on the other side)

a. enfrente

She was sitting across from me.Estaba sentada enfrente de mí.

7. (widthwise)

a. de ancho

The pipe is one meter across.La tubería tiene un metro de ancho.

down(

daun

)

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).

adverb

1. (vertical direction)

a. abajo

She lives two floors down.Ella vive dos pisos más abajo.

2. (in exclamations)

a. abajo

Down with the government!¡Abajo el gobierno!

b. baja

Down, Fido! Get off of that sofa!¡Bájate, Fido! ¡Bájate del sofá!

A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).

preposition

3. (direction)

a. por

You can go down the service stairs.Puedes irte por la escalera de servicio.

4. (along)

a. por

They walked down the avenue holding hands.Caminaron por la avenida tomados de la mano.

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).

adjective

5. (sad)

a. deprimido

I'm a bit down because my grandfather is sick.Estoy un poco deprimido porque mi abuelo está enfermo.

6. (not functioning)

This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.

no direct translation

The website has been down for three hours.El sitio web lleva tres horas sin funcionar.

We pay an arm and a leg, and the internet is always down!Pagamos un ojo de la cara y, ¡el internet nunca funciona!

A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).

(slang)

(willing)

a. dispuesto

I'll call Nate. He's always down to hang out.Voy a llamar a Nate. Siempre está dispuesto a pasar el rato.

A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).

noun

8. (material)

a. el plumón

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

I can't use a comforter made with down because I'm a vegan.No puedo usar un edredón de plumón porque soy vegana.

9. (hair)

a. el vello

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

(on body)

The down on the back of his neck is blond.El vello que tiene en la nuca es rubio.

b. el bozo

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

(on face)

That stuff on your upper lip is more down than a real mustache.Eso que tienes encima del labio es más bozo que un bigote verdadero.

10. (American football)

a. el down

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

That's a first down for Washington.Es un primer down para Washington.

b. la oportunidad

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

They haven't converted a third down all game.No han convertido una tercera oportunidad en todo el partido.

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).

transitive verb

11. (to cause to fall)

a. derribar

They downed the enemy aircraft with one shot.Derribaron el avión del enemigo con un solo disparo.

12. (to drink quickly)

a. terminar

He downed the soda and ran out the door.Terminó el refresco y salió corriendo por la puerta.

b. beberse

Let's down these and split!¡Bebámonos estas y larguémonos!