What does it mean word for word?
The phrase después de clases is composed of después (after), de (of/from) and clases (classes).
Which one should you use?
While después de la escuela is a literal translation of "after school", the expression después de clases is more idiomatic and common when referring to the time after a student's daily lessons have finished. You can also use después de la clase if you are referring to one specific lesson, whereas después de clases is used in a general sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression después de clases is commonly used in Latin America to mean "after classes".
How does it change in a sentence?
While después de clases is the standard way to say "after school" in a general sense, you can use the singular después de la clase if you are referring to one specific lesson.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, the period después de clases is when students engage in la merienda, a traditional light afternoon meal and social snack time.
- The preposition de in después de is a direct descendant of the Latin 'dē', a tiny word that has survived for thousands of years to connect almost every concept of origin or separation in Spanish.
- In Spain, the concept of 'after school' is often split between después de clases and extraescolares, which refers specifically to organized extracurricular activities.
Examples in context
- ¿Estás libre después de clases?Are you free after school?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is free después de clases.Tatoeba #3805433 by cueyayotl, translation #321007 by CK
- Hago mi tarea después de clases.I do my homework after school.This sentence shows how to say you do homework después de clases.Tatoeba #1409953 by marcelostockle, translation #398543 by whipback
- Juguemos tenis después de clases.Let's play tennis after school.This sentence is a suggestion to play tennis después de clases.Tatoeba #1988989 by marcelostockle, translation #321002 by CK
- Después de la escuela, voy a jugar al fútbol con mis amigos.After school, I am going to play soccer with my friends.
- Hoy salgo tarde de la oficina, así que me veré contigo después de salir de la escuela.I'm leaving the office late today, so I'll meet you after leaving school.
- Al terminar la jornada escolar, iré directamente a mi clase de música.At the end of the school day, I will go straight to my music class.
- Después del cole, suelo ir a casa de mi abuela.After school, I usually go to my grandma's house.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking in the school hallway.
- JavierMaría, ¿vienes al parque después de clases?María, are you coming to the park after school?
- MaríaNo puedo, tengo un examen después de clases.I can't, I have an exam after school.
- JavierQué lástima, te veo mañana entonces.What a shame, I'll see you tomorrow then.
- MaríaSí, suerte con tus actividades, Javier.Yes, good luck with your activities, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, después, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
