desde
/ˈdesde/
desde is the Spanish preposition for.
desde is used to indicate the starting point of a time period or a physical location.
Which one should you use?
While desde marks a specific starting point, you should use desde hace to express the duration of an action, such as saying something has been happening 'for two years'. Additionally, use desde que instead of desde when the starting point is a clause containing a verb rather than a noun or a specific time.
How does it change in a sentence?
When desde refers to a specific noun, it is often followed by a definite article, such as desde el/la/los/las, to indicate the starting point (for example, desde la estación for 'from the station').
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdesde/
Did you know?
- While desde indicates a starting point, Spanish speakers often use desde in the phrase desde luego to mean 'of course' or 'certainly'.
- The word desde evolved from a combination of the Late Latin words dē and ex.
- While desde marks a starting point, the related word desdeñar means 'to despise' or 'to treat with contempt'.
Examples in context
- Trabajo en esta empresa desde hace cinco años.I have been working in this company for five years.
- Estudio español desde que tenía diez años.I have been studying Spanish since I was ten years old.
- No he vuelto a verla desde entonces.I haven't seen her since then.
- Juego fútbol desde hace dos años.I have been playing soccer for two years.
- Vivo aquí desde principios del año.I have been living here since the beginning of the year.
- He trabajado aquí desde 2010.I have been working here since 2010.
- Han aumentado los precios desde el mes pasado.Prices have increased since last month.
- Trabajaré desde el lunes hasta el viernes.I will work from Monday until Friday.
- desde ayerSince yesterday
- desde aquíFrom here
- Vivo aquí desde enero.I have lived here since January.
- No te veo desde el lunes.I haven't seen you since Monday.
- Puedo ver el mar desde mi ventana.I can see the sea from my window.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about a new coffee shop.
- Sofía¿Desde cuándo está abierta esta cafetería?Since when has this coffee shop been open?
- JavierEstá abierta desde las ocho de la mañana.It has been open since eight in the morning.
- SofíaQué bien, yo siempre llego tarde.That's good, I always arrive late.
- JavierEntonces deberías venir más temprano, Sofía.Then you should come earlier, Sofía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry desde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
