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"Underneath" is a preposition which is often translated as "debajo de", and "beneath" is a preposition which is also often translated as "debajo de". Learn more about the difference between "underneath" and "beneath" below.
underneath(
uhn
-
duhr
-
nith
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
1. (beneath)
a. debajo de
The Paris catacombs extend for miles underneath the city.Las catacumbas de París se extienden por millas debajo de la ciudad.
c. abajo de (colloquial) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
It's raining really hard! I think we should wait underneath this tree.¡Está lloviendo bien fuerte! Mejor esperamos abajo de este árbol.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
2. (below)
a. debajo
I looked over the railing of the boat and saw dolphins swimming underneath.Me asomé a la barandilla del barco y vi delfines nadando debajo.
b. por debajo
I sat down in a chair in the airport and discovered a man napping underneath.Me senté en una silla en el aeropuerto y descubrí a un hombre tomando una siesta por debajo.
c. por abajo
This shirt is totally see-through! - Why don't you try putting something underneath?¡Esta camisa está totalmente transparente! - ¿Porqué no pruebas ponerle algo por abajo?
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
3. (underside)
a. la parte inferior (F)
(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).
My cat uses the underneath of my desk as a playground.Mi gato usa la parte inferior de mi escritorio como un patio de recreo.
b. la parte de abajo (F)
(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).
My sister dyed the underneath of her hair purple.Mi hermana tiñó la parte de abajo del cabello de morado.
beneath(
buh
-
nith
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
1. (below)
a. por debajo de
He has no respect for those he considers to be beneath him.No tiene ningún respeto por quienes considera que están por debajo de él.
a. indigno de
Carlos pretended to be his friend, but secretly believed Juan was beneath him.Carlos fingía ser su amigo, pero en secreto creía que Juan era indigno de él.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
4. (underneath)
a. debajo
She jolted awake when she heard a strange noise coming from beneath.Se despertó de un salto cuando oyó un ruido extraño que venía de debajo.
b. abajo
The surface looked calm, but there lay many dangers beneath.La superficie se veía calma, pero había muchos peligros abajo.
c. de abajo
I was surprised by a bird that flew out from beneath the car.Me sorprendí por un pájaro que salió volando de abajo del coche.
