Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| detrás de | /deˈtɾas de/ |
| atrás | /aˈtɾas/ |
detrás de is used as a preposition meaning "at the back of". The related adverbial form detrás refers to being at the back part or in the rear, while atrás can mean toward the back part, the rear or backward.
Which one should you use?
Use detrás de when you are specifying an object, such as saying someone is behind the car. Use detrás alone when the location is already implied or when used as an adverb. While both can relate to the rear, atrás often implies movement toward the rear or a direction, such as going backward, whereas detrás de describes a static position relative to something else.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The prepositional phrase detrás de must be used when followed by a noun or pronoun to indicate location.
How do you pronounce it?
/deˈtɾas de/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying detrás instead of detrás de when the phrase is followed by a noun. For example, do not say detrás la puerta instead of detrás de la puerta.
Did you know?
- The concept of 'behind' can be expressed as por detrás when referring to something happening secretly or in a clandestine way.
- The word atrás is used in the phrase mirar atrás to describe both looking behind you and reflecting on the past.
- Spanish speakers use irse atrás or echarse atrás to describe the act of backing out of a commitment or a deal.
Examples in context
- Dejé a Tom atrás.I left Tom behind.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use atrás to indicate leaving someone behind.Tatoeba #3367189 by marcelostockle, translation #2377315 by CK
- Mira detrás de ti.Look behind you.This sentence shows how to use detrás de to indicate a location relative to a person.Tatoeba #1001478 by Shishir, translation #433623 by CK
- ¡Mira detrás de ti!Look behind you!This sentence shows the use of detrás de in an imperative command.Tatoeba #474262 by Shishir, translation #473820 by FeuDRenais
- El perro está detrás del sofá.The dog is behind the sofa.
- Luisa camina por detrás de su amiga.Luisa walks behind her friend.
- 205 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are looking for a lost cat in a garden.
- Alejandro¿Viste al gato detrás de la silla?Did you see the cat behind the chair?
- ElenaNo, no está detrás de la silla.No, it is not behind the chair.
- AlejandroMira, está detrás de ese árbol.Look, it is behind that tree.
- Elena¡Tienes razón, Alejandro! Lo encontré.You are right, Alejandro! I found it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “behind” translations and entries detrás de, atrás, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
