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"Before" is an adverb which is often translated as "antes", and "after" is a preposition which is often translated as "después de". Learn more about the difference between "before" and "after" below.
before(
bi
-
for
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (previously)
a. antes
We've met before; you don't have to introduce him to me.Nos conocemos de antes; no me lo tienes que presentar.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. ante
I had never performed before such a large crowd.Nunca había actuado ante una multitud tan grande.
b. delante de
They were married before a small gathering of friends and family.Se casaron delante de un pequeño grupo de amigos y familia.
a. antes que
A poet is, before anything else, a person who is in love with language.Un poeta es, antes que nada, una persona enamorada de los idiomas.
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. antes de que
Finish your homework before mom gets home.Acaba tus deberes antes de que mamá llegue a casa.
a. antes que
I will die on my feet before living on my knees.Moriré de pie antes que vivir de rodillas.
after(
ahf
-
duhr
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. después de
Hey, what are you doing after work today? Do you want to go for a drink?Oye, ¿qué haces después del trabajo hoy? ¿Quieres ir a tomar algo?
b. tras (indicating repetition)
The protesters have come day after day for weeks, seeking justice.Los manifestantes han venido día tras día durante semanas buscando justicia.
a. tras
She is obviously after his fortune; that's why she married him.Obviamente va tras su fortuna; por eso se casó con él.
a. al modo de
Much of Roman architecture was after the Greek style.Mucha de la arquitectura romana fue al modo del estilo griego.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I was named after my grandfather.Me pusieron el nombre de mi abuelo.
The family has donated so much money to the university that they're naming a building after them.La familia le ha donado tanto dinero a la universidad que están nombrando un edificio en su honor.
a. después de
You deserve it after all you have been through.Te lo mereces después de todo lo que has pasado.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
10. (when)
a. después de que
Go to bed after brushing your teeth.Vete a dormir después de que te cepilles los dientes.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
11. (formal) (literary) (subsequent)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. posterior
Miriam regretted her decision not to marry Tony in after years.Miriam se arrepentía de no haberse casado con Tony en años posteriores.
