a través de
/a tɾaˈbes de/
The English phrase across can be translated to Spanish as a través de.
a través de is a preposition used to express movement from one side to another. It is also the standard way to express 'through' in a temporal sense, such as 'throughout the years'.
Meaning: from one side to another (prep)
Which one should you use?
While a través de implies movement through or across a space, the related forms a través and de través function as adverbs meaning 'from one side to the other'. Additionally, in many casual contexts involving movement through a space like a park or a street, por is a more common and natural alternative.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase a través de becomes just a través when it functions as an adverb without a following object.
How do you pronounce it?
/a tɾaˈbes de/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly omit the de when using the phrase as a preposition. However, a través requires de if a noun follows it.
Did you know?
- The word través shares a common ancestor with the English word 'transverse', both originating from the Latin 'transversus' meaning 'turned across'.
Examples in context
- Caminamos a través del hielo.We walked across the ice.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use a través de when walking across the ice.Tatoeba #4757187 by DarkHollow, translation #263262 by CK
- Tom saltó a través de la zanja.Tom jumped across the ditch.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use a través de when jumping across a ditch.Tatoeba #10082558 by manufrutos, translation #6867786 by CK
- Condujimos a través de la ciudad.We drove across the city.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use a través de when driving across a city.Tatoeba #1385962 by marcelostockle, translation #680069 by Source_VOA
- Caminé a través del puenteI walked across the bridge
- La tienda está al otro lado de la calleThe store is across the street
- Saltamos de un lado a otro del ríoWe jumped across the river
- Estamos cruzando el puenteWe are going across the bridge
- Caminamos a través del bosque para llegar al otro lado del valle.We walked across the forest to reach the other side of the valley
- Saltemos de un lado a otro para evitar las piedras en el camino.Let's jump across from one side to the other to avoid the rocks in the path
- Está a dos calles de aquí, cruzando el parque.It's two blocks from here, across the park
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing a hiking route.
- Lucía¿Debemos ir a través del río?Should we go across the river?
- AlejandroNo, es muy peligroso para mí.No, it is very dangerous for me.
- LucíaEstá bien, buscaremos otro camino.It is fine, we will look for another way.
- AlejandroGracias, Lucía, eres muy amable.Thank you, Lucía, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “across” translations and entries a través de, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, a través de, de, través, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
