al fondo

in the background

al fondo(ahl fohn-doh)

phrase

1. (not in the foreground)

a. in the background

La escena representa una finca elegante; al fondo, se ve una torre.

The picture shows an elegant estate; in the background, a tower can be seen.

2. (not at the front)

a. at the back

Como la sala de conferencias estaba llena, tuvimos que sentarnos al fondo.

As the lecture room was full, we had to sit at the back.

b. to the back

Hay tanta gente que no puedo respirar. Vayamos al fondo.

There are so many people here that I can't breathe. Let's move to the back.

3. (not at the beginning)

a. at the end

Ve por esta calle. Al fondo a la izquierda verás una iglesia.

Go down this street. At the end on the left you'll see a church.

b. to the end

¿Ves el pasillo? Ve al fondo y gira a la izquierda.

Do you see the corridor? Go to the end and turn left.

4. (not at the top)

a. at the bottom

Al fondo, el buzo tocó algo metálico.

At the bottom, the diver touched something metallic.

b. to the bottom

El perro estaba jugando en el río cuando un cocodrilo lo arrastró al fondo.

The dog was playing in the river when a crocodile dragged it to the bottom.

5.

(figurative)

(to the truth)

a.

no direct translation

Lo que ocurrió es muy grave y no voy a detenerme hasta llegar al fondo.

What has happened is really serious, and I won't stop until I get to the bottom of it.

Hay que llegar al fondo pase lo que pase.

Whatever happens, we need to get to the bottom of this.