desde
“desde” means “from” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
from
📝 In Action
Caminamos desde la playa hasta el hotel.
A1We walked from the beach to the hotel.
Te estoy viendo desde mi ventana.
A2I'm watching you from my window.
El tren viaja desde Madrid a Barcelona.
A1The train travels from Madrid to Barcelona.
since
Also: from
📝 In Action
Vivo aquí desde 2015.
A2I've lived here since 2015.
No la he visto desde el lunes.
A2I haven't seen her since Monday.
Desde ahora, voy a estudiar más.
B1From now on, I'm going to study more.
Te quiero desde el primer día que te vi.
B1I've loved you since the first day I saw you.
from
📝 In Action
Desde mi punto de vista, la idea es excelente.
B1From my point of view, the idea is excellent.
Visto desde esa perspectiva, tienes razón.
B2Seen from that perspective, you're right.
El problema debe analizarse desde todos los ángulos.
B2The problem must be analyzed from all angles.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: desde
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'I've known him for five years'?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
It comes from a combination of two Latin words, 'de' (of/from) and 'ex' (out of). Putting them together created a stronger way to say 'from'.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'de' and 'desde'?
They can both mean 'from,' which is tricky! The simplest rule is: use 'de' for permanent origin ('Soy de Canadá') and what things are made of ('mesa de madera'). Use 'desde' to emphasize the starting point of a journey ('Vengo desde el trabajo') or a starting time ('Trabajo desde las 9'). 'Desde' often implies a distance or duration that follows.
Can I say 'desde que'?
Yes! 'Desde que' is a very useful phrase that means 'ever since'. You use it to connect to a full action or event. For example, 'No como carne desde que vi ese documental' (I haven't eaten meat ever since I saw that documentary).