uno tras otro
/uno tɾas otɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'one after another' can be translated into Spanish using several forms, most commonly uno tras otro. Wiktionary also lists uno detrás de otro and uno después del otro.
Meaning: in single file (adv)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| uno tras otro | /uno tɾas otɾo/ (from spelling rules) | |
| uno detrás de otro | /uno detɾas de otɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| uno después del otro | /uno despwes del otɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| una detrás de otra | /una detɾas de otɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
These phrases are used to describe things or people happening or occurring in a successive order, often implying a single file.
Which one should you use?
uno tras otro is a concise way to say 'one after another' and is more common in literature or formal narration than uno después del otro. If you wish to emphasize the physical position of people or objects (one behind the other), use uno detrás de otro.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender with the subject it refers to. Use the masculine or mixed-gender form uno tras otro for masculine subjects or groups of mixed gender. If the subjects being referred to are all feminine, use una tras otra.
How do you pronounce it?
/uno tɾas otɾo/
Did you know?
- The word uno shares its ancient Indo-European roots with the Russian word один (odin), showing how much these distant languages have in common.
- While uno tras otro describes a sequence, Spanish also uses the phrase en fila to specifically describe the physical act of standing in a queue.
- In some contexts, uno tras otro can be used as an idiom to describe a series of unfortunate events or 'domino effect' failures.
Examples in context
- Vinieron uno tras otro.They came here one after another.This sentence shows how to use uno tras otro to describe people arriving.Tatoeba #1010179 by Shishir, translation #306763 by CK
- Ellos murieron uno tras otro.They died one after another.This sentence uses uno tras otro to describe a sequence of deaths.Tatoeba #1406632 by marcelostockle, translation #307726 by CK
- Los clientes llegaron uno tras otro.Customers came one after another.This sentence demonstrates the use of uno tras otro regarding the arrival of customers.Tatoeba #666094 by clerval, translation #240111 by Dejo
- Los invitados llegaron uno tras otro a la recepción del evento.The guests arrived one after another at the event reception.
- Los estudiantes fueron llamados de manera sucesiva al escenario para recibir sus diplomas.The students were called one after another to the stage to receive their diplomas.
- Fui colocando los libros uno detrás de otro en el estante.I placed the books one after another on the shelf.
- Los niños entraron en fila al aula para el receso.The children entered the classroom one after another for recess.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are organizing a group of children for a field trip.
- DanielLos niños deben caminar uno tras otro.The children must walk one after another.
- SofíaEstá bien, ya se están formando.Alright, they are already forming a line.
- DanielAsegúrate de que vayan uno tras otro.Make sure they go one after another.
- SofíaLo haré, Daniel, no te preocupes.I will, Daniel, don't worry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one after another” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, del, después, detrás, otro, una, uno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
