📝 In Action
El gato está debajo de la mesa.
A1The cat is under the table.
Encontré mis llaves debajo del sofá.
A2I found my keys underneath the sofa.
Vive en el piso de debajo.
B1He lives on the floor below.
¿Hay algo debajo de la cama?
A2Is there anything under the bed?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'debajo de' Team
When you want to say 'under something', you almost always need to add 'de' right after 'debajo'. Think of 'debajo de' as a single unit that means 'underneath'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'de'
Mistake: "El libro está debajo la cama."
Correction: El libro está debajo **de** la cama. You need 'de' to connect 'debajo' to the thing it's under. It's like saying 'under of the bed'.
Confusing 'debajo' and 'bajo'
Mistake: "'Bajo' can sometimes mean 'under', but 'debajo de' is your best friend for physical locations. 'Bajo' is often used for more abstract ideas."
Correction: For physical objects, stick with 'debajo de' to be safe. Use 'bajo' for things like 'bajo control' (under control) or 'bajo cero' (below zero).
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'debajo' by itself
You can use 'debajo' alone when the 'what' is already understood from the conversation. For example: '¿Dónde está el perro?' 'Está debajo.' (Where's the dog? It's underneath.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: debajo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly says 'The shoes are under the chair'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'debajo de' and 'bajo'?
'Debajo de' is the most common way to say something is physically under another thing, like 'el perro debajo de la mesa' (the dog under the table). 'Bajo' can also mean 'under', but it's often used for more abstract ideas, like being 'under pressure' ('bajo presión') or for things that aren't directly touching, like temperature 'bajo cero' (below zero). When in doubt for physical objects, use 'debajo de'.
Can I just say 'debajo' without 'de'?
Yes, but only if it's clear what you're talking about from the context. If someone asks '¿Dónde están mis zapatos?' (Where are my shoes?), you can just answer 'Están debajo' (They're underneath), because you both know you mean 'underneath the bed' or something similar.