debajo de mí
/debaxo de mi/from spelling rules
The English phrase "under me" is translated into Spanish as debajo de mí.
Which one should you use?
Debajo de mí is more commonly used to describe physical position or location. In contrast, the word bajo is often used in more abstract or literary contexts, such as in the phrase bajo mi mando (under my command).
How does it change in a sentence?
This prepositional phrase uses the stressed tonic form mí rather than the unstressed me because it follows a preposition.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly omit the de in debajo de mí, but debajo requires de when followed by an object.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word bajo can also function as an adjective meaning 'short' when describing a person's height.
- The word bajo is related to the English word 'bass', as in a low musical pitch, because both derive from concepts of being 'low'.
- The English word 'debase', meaning to lower in quality, shares the same ancient roots as debajo and 'low'.
Examples in context
- El libro está debajo de míThe book is under me
- El perro se acostó debajo de míThe dog lied down under me
- El lápiz está debajo de mí en la mesa.The pencil is under me on the table.
- Mis hijos siempre están debajo de mis pies cuando cocino.My kids are always under my feet when I cook.
- El gato está debajo de mí.The cat is under me.
- No hay nada debajo de mí en la cama.There is nothing under me in the bed.
- Siento un objeto debajo de mí.I feel an object under me.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are looking for a lost earring in a pile of cushions.
- Elena¿Sientes algo debajo de mí?Do you feel something under me?
- AlejandroNo, no siento nada debajo de ti.No, I don't feel anything under you.
- ElenaCreo que el pendiente está debajo de mí.I think the earring is under me.
- Alejandro¡Ah, sí! Está debajo de ti.Ah, yes! It is under you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, debajo, mí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
