tras

/trahs/

after

A series of three identical, colorful cartoon rabbits walking in a straight line, one immediately following the other, illustrating sequence.

Use 'tras' to show sequence or repetition, often translated as 'after' (e.g., one after another, day after day).

📝 In Action

Llegaron uno tras otro.

They arrived one after another.

Día tras día, la situación mejoraba.

Day after day, the situation improved.

Año tras año, visitamos la misma playa.

Year after year, we visit the same beach.

Word Connections

Synonyms

después de (after)

Antonyms

antes de (before)

Common Collocations

día tras día – day after day
uno tras otro – one after another
vez tras vez – time after time

⭐ Usage Tips

Showing Repetition

Use 'tras' to connect two identical nouns (like 'día tras día' or 'año tras año'). This is a super common way to show that something happens repeatedly over time.

A small, wide-eyed child peeking out from behind a large, bright red door, illustrating the concept of 'behind'.

'Tras' can mean 'behind' when describing a physical location, although 'detrás de' is more common in spoken Spanish.

📝 In Action

El niño se escondió tras la puerta.

The child hid behind the door.

El sol desapareció tras las montañas.

The sun disappeared behind the mountains.

Dejó las llaves tras el jarrón.

He left the keys behind the vase.

Word Connections

Synonyms

detrás de (behind)

Antonyms

delante de (in front of)
enfrente de (in front of / opposite)

💡 Grammar Points

'Tras' vs. 'Detrás de'

Both 'tras' and 'detrás de' mean 'behind'. In conversations, you'll hear 'detrás de' much more often. 'Tras' can sound a bit more formal or like something you'd read in a book.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Tras de'

Mistake: "El gato está tras de el sofá."

Correction: Say 'El gato está tras el sofá' or 'El gato está detrás del sofá'. 'Tras' doesn't need 'de' after it.

A simple cartoon figure dressed as a police officer running quickly in pursuit of another figure carrying a bag.

This usage of 'tras' means 'after' in the sense of pursuing a person or a goal (e.g., going after the championship).

tras(Preposition)

after

in pursuit of a goal

Also:

in search of

looking for something

📝 In Action

La policía corría tras el ladrón.

The police were running after the thief.

El equipo va tras el campeonato.

The team is going after the championship.

Pasó su vida tras la fama y la fortuna.

He spent his life in pursuit of fame and fortune.

Word Connections

Synonyms

en busca de (in search of)

Common Collocations

ir tras algo/alguien – to go after something/someone
andar tras algo – to be after something

⭐ Usage Tips

Chasing a Goal

Think of this 'tras' like you're physically 'behind' something you're chasing. It works for physical pursuits (like chasing a person) and abstract ones (like chasing a dream).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tras

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'tras' to mean 'in pursuit of' a goal?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

atrás(behind, backwards) - adverb

atrasado(late, behind schedule) - adjective

retraso(a delay) - noun

trasero(rear, back (adjective); buttocks (noun)) - adjective/noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'tras', 'detrás de', and 'después de'?

'Tras' and 'detrás de' can both mean 'behind' a location, but 'detrás de' is much more common in daily speech. 'Después de' always means 'after' in time. While 'tras' can also mean 'after', it's often used for sequences ('uno tras otro') or goals ('ir tras un sueño'), whereas 'después de' is for general time ('después de la clase').

Can I say 'tras de mí'?

You should avoid it. The correct and standard way to say 'behind me' is 'detrás de mí'. While you might occasionally hear 'tras de mí' in some regions or older texts, it's best to stick with 'tras mí' or, even better, 'detrás de mí' for clarity.