debajo
“debajo” means “under” in Spanish (physical location).
under, underneath, below
📝 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?
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Quick Quiz: debajo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly says 'The shoes are under the chair'?
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📚 Etymology▼
Comes from joining the Latin prefix 'de-' (from) and the word 'bassus' (low). It literally means something like 'from a low place'.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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.