a diferencia de
/a difeˈɾenθja de/
The English word "unlike" is translated into Spanish as a diferencia de.
a diferencia de is a formal phrase used to emphasize dissimilarities. While it is a formal way to highlight differences, you can also use other phrases depending on your goal: En contraste con is a formal phrase used for highlighting differences between two things, Distinto de is a formal phrase used to emphasize a clear distinction and the informal No es como can be used to mean "is not like".
Meaning: different from (prep)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally composed of the preposition a (at/to), the noun diferencia (difference) and the preposition de (of).
Which one should you use?
While a diferencia de is used to highlight a lack of similarity, al contrario de is often used to emphasize a direct opposition or a complete reversal of a situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase a diferencia de does not change its form to match the gender or number of the noun it modifies. Only the article following it changes, such as in a diferencia de las for "unlike the (feminine plural)". Note that when a diferencia de is followed by a masculine singular noun with a definite article, the de and el contract into del, resulting in a diferencia del.
How do you pronounce it?
/a difeˈɾenθja de/
Did you know?
- The word de in this phrase is a descendant of the Proto-Indo-European root *déh₁, which is also the ancestor of the word de in Ladino.
- The phrase a diferencia de is grammatically invariant, meaning it never changes to match the gender or number of the object being compared.
- Although 'unlike' in English can be an adjective or a preposition, in Spanish, a diferencia de functions strictly as a prepositional phrase.
Examples in context
- A diferencia de su madre, ella es alta.Unlike her mother, she is tall.This example shows how to use a diferencia de to compare two people.Tatoeba #1132374 by Shishir, translation #320574 by shekitten
- A diferencia de mi hermano, no sé nadar.Unlike my brother, I cannot swim.This example demonstrates using a diferencia de to contrast personal abilities.Tatoeba #6628714 by baudelaire, translation #237836 by CC
- La grúa, a diferencia del perro, nunca ha soñado con volar.The crane, unlike the dog, has never dreamed of flying.This example illustrates the contraction into a diferencia del when followed by a masculine singular noun.Tatoeba #1236553 by marcelostockle, translation #646792 by kebukebu
- En contraste con la ciudad, el campo es tranquilo.Unlike the city, the countryside is peaceful.
- A diferencia de Ana, Pedro es muy tímido.Unlike Ana, Pedro is very shy.
- La comida rápida no es como la comida casera.Fast food is not like homemade food.
- El paisaje de la montaña es distinto del paisaje del mar.The mountain landscape is unlike the seashore landscape.
- A diferencia mía, tú eres responsable.Unlike me, you are responsible.
- A diferencia de lo que pasa con Juan, María llega siempre a tiempo.Unlike Juan, Maria always arrives on time.
- No es como los demás chicos, él es realmente inteligente.He's not like the other guys, he's really smart.
- Esa película no es igual a la original.That movie is not like the original one.
- En oposición al gobierno anterior, el nuevo gobierno busca el cambio.Unlike the previous government, the new government seeks change.
- A diferencia de lo que pasa en otros países, en España se come tarde.Unlike what happens in other countries, in Spain, people eat late.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing their different tastes in music.
- Elena¿Te gusta el rock, Javier?Do you like rock, Javier?
- JavierSí, a diferencia de Elena, me encanta el rock.Yes, unlike Elena, I love rock.
- ElenaEs verdad, yo prefiero la música clásica.It's true, I prefer classical music.
- JavierTienes gustos muy distintos.You have very different tastes.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry a diferencia de, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, de, diferencia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
