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"At the bottom" is a phrase which is often translated as "al pie", and "in the background" is a phrase which is often translated as "en el fondo". Learn more about the difference between "at the bottom" and "in the background" below.
at the bottom(
aht
thuh
ba
-
duhm
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. al fondo
There is a toy at the bottom of this cereal box.Hay un juguete al fondo de esta caja de cereal.
a. el último (M), la última (F) (noun)
(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).
(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).
Tina was at the bottom of her class.Tina era la última de la clase.
in the background(
ihn
thuh
bahk
-
raund
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. en el fondo
I barely paid attention to the movie. I was distracted by the noise in the background.Apenas presté atención a la peli. Estaba distraída por el ruido en el fondo.
b. al fondo
Look at those beautiful trees in the background of the photo!¡Mira esos lindos árboles al fondo de la foto!
2. (figurative) (without seeking attention)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. en segundo plano
I don't want to be a star. I'd prefer to work in the background.No quiero ser una estrella. Prefiero trabajar en segundo plano.
b. en la sombra
It seems like the CEO is doing everything, but in fact he has assistants in the background.Parece que el director ejecutivo está haciendo todo, pero de hecho tiene asistentes en la sombra.
