detrás de ti
/detɾas de ti/from spelling rules
The English phrase "behind you" can be translated into Spanish as detrás de ti.
This phrase is used to indicate that a person or an object is located at the back of someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of detrás (behind), de (of) and ti (you, used as an object of a preposition).
Which one should you use?
detrás de ti is the direct opposite of delante de ti, which means "in front of you".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the informal version detrás tuyo is used to say "behind you".
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group of people, the form changes depending on the region and level of formality. In Spain, use the informal plural detrás de vosotros when telling a group that something is behind them. In Latin America, use detrás de ustedes to address a group regardless of whether the context is formal or informal.
How do you pronounce it?
/detɾas de ti/
Did you know?
- The word detrás actually traces its roots back to the Latin word trans, which is the same root found in the English word 'transparent'.
- In some poetic or archaic contexts, Spanish uses the phrase a tus espaldas to mean 'behind you', literally translating to 'at your backs'.
- When warning someone that something is behind them in a sudden or scary way, speakers often drop the de ti and simply shout ¡Detrás!
Examples in context
- Mira detrás de ti.Look behind you.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to look behind you using detrás de ti.Tatoeba #1001478 by Shishir, translation #433623 by CK
- ¡Mira detrás de ti!Look behind you!This sentence is useful for practicing an emphatic command to look behind you using detrás de ti.Tatoeba #474262 by Shishir, translation #473820 by FeuDRenais
- Estoy detrás de ti.I'm behind you.This sentence is useful for stating your position behind someone using detrás de ti.Tatoeba #6626913 by Schuager, translation #6626911 by Schuager
- Disculpe, señor/señora, hay una silla detrás de usted.Excuse me, señor/ señora, there's a chair behind you.
- ¡Cuidado! Hay un charco detrás de ti.Look out! There's a puddle behind you!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are playing hide and seek in a garden.
- Sofía¡Te encontré, Mateo!I found you, Mateo!
- Mateo¿Cómo lo hiciste?How did you do it?
- SofíaHabía un juguete detrás de ti.There was a toy behind you.
- Mateo¡No lo vi!I didn't see it!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, detrás, ti, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
