Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| adelante | /adeˈlante/ |
| al frente de | /al fɾente de/ (from spelling rules) |
| delante de | /delante de/ (from spelling rules) |
Adelante is also a polite way to grant permission for someone to enter a room or to proceed with an action. The phrase al frente de can mean physically in front of, but it is also commonly used to mean being in charge of or leading a group. The phrase delante de is used to specify a physical position relative to an object or person.
What does it mean word for word?
Adelante is a combination of the preposition a (to) and delante (in front), literally meaning to the front.
Which one should you use?
Use delante de when you want to specify a physical position relative to an object or person, whereas adelante is often used as an adverb of direction or movement.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, if you are naming the object being preceded, you must use the prepositional phrase delante de.
How do you pronounce it?
/adeˈlante/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use delante alone when they mean in front of.
Did you know?
- The word frente is used for both 'front' and 'forehead' in Spanish, reflecting the Latin root frōns.
- The phrase ir hacia adelante is often used as a psychological idiom meaning to move on from a trauma or recover from a life setback.
- The word delante evolved from the Old Spanish enante, which was a hybrid of the Latin words for 'in' and 'before'.
Examples in context
- Veo a un auto rojo adelante.I see a red car ahead.This sentence shows how to use adelante to describe the position of a car.Tatoeba #2188258 by marcelostockle, translation #273642 by CM
- "¿Puedo usar este teléfono?" "Adelante.""May I use this telephone?" "Go ahead."This example shows how adelante is used to grant permission.Tatoeba #1601171 by teskmon, translation #73902 by CK
- Me dio un empellón y pasó delante de mí.He gave me a push and got ahead of me.This sentence demonstrates the use of delante de to describe moving in front of someone.Tatoeba #2266248 by cueyayotl, translation #2266247 by _undertoad
- Por favor, continúe adelante por esta callePlease continue straight ahead on this street
- Nuestro proyecto está avanzando hacia adelanteOur project is moving ahead
- Tenemos muchas oportunidades por delanteWe have many opportunities ahead
- Sigue pa'lante sin temorKeep moving forward without fear
- Vamos de frente hacia el éxitoWe're going straight ahead toward success
- No te preocupes, siempre hay que seguir pa'delanteDon't worry, you always have to keep moving forward
- Gira a la izquierda, y la tienda estará justo adelanteTurn left, and the shop will be just ahead
- No te preocupes, sigue adelante y alcanzarás tus sueñosDon't worry, keep moving forward, and you'll achieve your dreams
- Nuestro proyecto va bien. Tenemos mucho trabajo por delanteOur project is progressing well, we have a lot of work ahead
- ¡Adelante!Go ahead!
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are walking through a crowded park.
- ElenaHay mucha gente adelante.There are many people ahead.
- MateoNo te preocupes, Elena.Don't worry, Elena.
- Elena¿Podemos pasar adelante?Can we go ahead?
- MateoSí, sigamos adelante.Yes, let's keep going ahead.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ahead” translations and entries adelante, delante de, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adelante, de, delante, frente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
