del
/del/from spelling rules
In Spanish, del is an abbreviation used on the delete key of a keyboard.
The word del is a contraction used to mean 'of the' when referring to a masculine singular noun.
Meaning: abbreviation on the delete key on a keyboard (noun)
Which one should you use?
In standard Spanish, you must use the contraction del instead of the separate words de el when el is functioning as a definite article. Unlike the masculine form, there is no contraction for the feminine version. de la remains two separate words.
How does it change in a sentence?
del is a mandatory contraction of the preposition de (of) and the masculine singular article el (the).
How do you pronounce it?
/del/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the uncontracted de el instead of del when translating 'of the' before a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- The contraction del is forbidden if el is part of a proper name, such as the title of a book or a movie. In those cases, you must use de el to avoid confusing the name with a common noun.
- In old Spanish texts, you may find de el used where modern speakers must use del. The strict requirement for the contraction became more standardized over time.
- del is a linguistic relative of the French word du and the Portuguese word do. All three evolved from similar processes of merging a preposition and an article in Romance languages.
Examples in context
- En español, «del» es una contracción que resulta de fusionar las palabras «de» y «el».In Spanish "del" is a contraction that comes from the fusion of the words "de" and "el".This sentence explains that del is a contraction of the words de and el.Tatoeba #4364334 by umano, translation #12895857 by araneo
- "El Chavo del 8" es una serie mexicana transmitida en Brasil por el Sistema Brasilero de Televisión (SBT)."El Chavo del 8" is a Mexican series transmitted in Brazil by the Brazilian Television System (BTS).This sentence shows the use of del in the title of a Mexican series.Tatoeba #1632580 by hayastan, translation #11217773 by DJ_Saidez
- Colonia del Sacramento, hoy considerada Patrimonio de la Humanidad, fue fundada en 1680 por las tropas portuguesas que se asentaron sobre las costas rioplatenses.Colonia del Sacramento, today considered a World Heritage Site, was founded in 1680 by Portuguese troops that settled on the banks of the La Plata river.This sentence shows how del is used in the name of a historical location.Tatoeba #2789903 by nancy, translation #9313305 by Nylez
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier is helping Elena use a computer.
- JavierPresiona la tecla del para borrar esto.Press the del key to erase this.
- ElenaNo encuentro la tecla del en mi teclado.I can't find the del key on my keyboard.
- JavierEstá justo al lado de la tecla Enter.It's right next to the Enter key.
- ElenaAh, ya veo el del, ¡gracias!Oh, I see the del, thanks!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries del, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
