Learning how to say a specific word in another language is always an exciting journey. Today, we will explore the different ways to express “after” in Spanish. Whether you’re seeking formal or informal phrases, we’ve got you covered! We will delve into various tips and examples to help you understand and utilize these expressions effectively. Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
1. “After” as a Preposition
When referring to “after” as a preposition, there are a few common translations in Spanish:
a) Formal:
The formal way to say “after” in Spanish is “después de”.
Es importante descansar después de un largo día de trabajo.
(It’s important to rest after a long day of work.)
b) Informal:
The informal way to express “after” as a preposition is “después”.
Vamos a la playa y después al cine.
(Let’s go to the beach and then to the movies.)
2. “After” as a Conjunction
When “after” is used as a conjunction, it has different Spanish translations based on the context:
a) “After” meaning “behind”:
If you want to express “after” in terms of something being behind another object or person, you can use “detrás de”.
La casa está detrás del árbol.
(The house is behind the tree.)
b) “After” meaning “later in time”:
When referring to something happening later in time, “después” is commonly used as a conjunction.
Voy a visitarlo después de acabar mi trabajo.
(I’ll visit him after finishing my work.)
c) “After” meaning “in pursuit of”:
When expressing “after” as pursuing or going after someone or something, we use “tras” or “detrás de”.
Corrí tras el autobús, pero ya se había ido.
(I ran after the bus, but it had already left.)
3. Additional Tips and Examples
Now that we have covered the essential translations of “after” in Spanish, here are some additional tips and examples to help you master their usage:
a) Use of Verb Conjugations:
Remember that the verb following “after” in Spanish needs to be conjugated accordingly. Let’s see some examples:
- Después de almorzar, estudio español. (After eating lunch, I study Spanish.)
- Después de las vacaciones, ellos vuelven a trabajar. (After the vacation, they return to work.)
b) “Después de” vs. “Después que”:
It is worth noting that in some regions, particularly in Latin America, it is more common to use “después de” instead of “después que” as a conjunction. For example:
- Después de que termines tus deberes, podrás salir. (After you finish your homework, you can go out.)
- Después de que él llegue, comenzaremos la reunión. (After he arrives, we will start the meeting.)
c) Time Expressions:
When using time expressions with “after”, Spanish often employs the word “pasado”. Here are a few examples:
- Me veré contigo después de cinco minutos. (I will meet you after five minutes.)
- Estaré allí después de media hora. (I will be there after half an hour.)
d) “After” in Phrases and Idioms:
Spanish also has various phrases and idiomatic expressions containing the word “después” or its variations:
- Más vale tarde que nunca. (Better late than never.)
- Mañana será otro día. (Tomorrow is another day.)
Remember to practice these phrases and idioms in context to improve your fluency and understanding.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have now learned different ways to express “after” in Spanish, both formally and informally. Whether as a preposition or conjunction, you can confidently use “después de” and “después” in various contexts. Additionally, we explored specific regional variations and provided you with valuable tips and examples to enhance your understanding. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll master the nuances of expressing “after” in Spanish!
