por alguien
/poɾ alɡjen/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'by someone' is translated into Spanish as por alguien.
In Spanish, por alguien is used to indicate the person who performed an action within a passive sentence.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the word por, which means 'by' when referring to an agent and alguien, which means 'someone'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase por alguien is used specifically to introduce the agent in a passive construction.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾ alɡjen/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly use de alguien to mean 'by someone' in passive sentences. Instead, use por to correctly introduce the agent of an action.
Did you know?
- While por introduces the agent in passive sentences, Spanish speakers often avoid the passive voice entirely in conversation. They prefer the se impersonal or active constructions to avoid sounding overly formal or like a translated text.
- The word alguien is an linguistic oddity that likely evolved from a blend of alguno 'some' and quien 'who'. This makes it a hybrid word rather than a direct descendant of a single Latin root.
- In some Spanish dialects, the word alguien can be used as a noun to describe a person of importance or a 'somebody', similar to the English phrase 'he is a somebody'.
Examples in context
- Tom fue apuñalado hasta la muerte por alguien en el metro.Tom was stabbed to death by someone on the subway.This sentence shows the use of por alguien to identify the person who committed an action.Tatoeba #1325962 by marcelostockle, translation #1092350 by CK
- Este libro había sido escrito por alguien famoso.This book had been written by someone famous.This sentence demonstrates how por alguien introduces the agent in a passive construction.Tatoeba #10796536 by megamanenm, translation #10796534 by megamanenm
- La casa fue comprada por alguien más.The house was bought by someone else.
- El libro fue escrito por alguien con mucho conocimiento en la materia.The book was written by someone with extensive knowledge in the subject.
- El mensaje fue enviado de parte de alguien de la compañía.The message was sent by someone from the company.
- Este regalo es de parte de alguien especial.This gift is from someone special.
- Hablo en nombre de alguien influyente.I speak on behalf of someone influential.
- Este regalo ha sido enviado en nombre de alguien que quiere permanecer en el anonimato.This gift has been sent by someone who wishes to remain anonymous.
- El informe será presentado por parte de alguien del equipo.The report will be presented by someone from the team.
- El jarrón fue roto por alguien en la sala.The vase was broken by someone in the living room.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are looking at a gift on the table.
- SofíaMira, este regalo fue dejado por alguien.Look, this gift was left by someone.
- MateoNo veo ninguna nota en el paquete.I don't see any note on the package.
- SofíaQuizás fue enviado por alguien de la familia.Maybe it was sent by someone from the family.
- MateoTienes razón, vamos a abrirlo ahora.You're right, let's open it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alguien, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
