de
/de/
In Spanish, the phrase "something is by someone" is expressed using de.
The preposition de is used to indicate that a person is the creator or author of a work. While English uses "by" for both authorship and the agent of an action, Spanish distinguishes between the two.
Which one should you use?
In English, "by" can indicate authorship or the agent performing an action in a passive sentence. In Spanish, de is used specifically for authorship (for example, a painting by Picasso), whereas por is used for the agent of a passive verb (for example, the book was written by him).
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition de translates to "of" or "by" when expressing authorship or possession in this context.
How do you pronounce it?
/de/
Did you know?
- The word de is a direct descendant of the Latin preposition dē, which originally meant 'down from' or 'away from' rather than just 'of'.
- In legal or formal Spanish documents, the phrase de su autoría is often added after de to remove any doubt that the person is the actual creator.
- While de indicates authorship, using por in the same context often implies the work was commissioned or physically delivered by that person rather than created by them.
Examples in context
- Esta pintura es de PicassoThis painting is by Picasso.
- Este libro es de García MárquezThis book is by García Márquez.
- Estas esculturas son de Miguel ÁngelThese sculptures are by Miguel Ángel.
- Este poema fue escrito por NerudaThis poem was written by Neruda.
- Esta canción fue compuesta por ShakiraThis song was composed by Shakira.
- Esta película fue dirigida por AlmodóvarThis movie was directed by Almodóvar.
- Este cuadro fue pintado por DalíThis artwork was painted by Dalí.
- Estas novelas fueron escritas por García MárquezThese novels were written by García Márquez.
- Este vestido fue diseñado por una talentosa diseñadora mexicanaThis dress was designed by a talented Mexican designer.
- Esta escultura fue tallada por un hábil escultor españolThis sculpture was carved by a skilled Spanish sculptor.
- Un libro de Cervantes.A book by Cervantes.
- Este libro es de Cervantes.This book is by Cervantes.
- Esa canción es de Shakira.That song is by Shakira.
- El cuadro es de un artista famoso.The painting is by a famous artist.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are looking at a painting in a museum.
- Alejandro¿Sabes de quién es esta obra?Do you know who this work is by?
- MaríaCreo que es de un pintor español.I think it is by a Spanish painter.
- AlejandroEs muy bonita, ¿verdad?It is very beautiful, right?
- MaríaSí, es una pieza excelente.Yes, it is an excellent piece.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry de, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
