Inklingo

How to Say "behind" in Spanish

English → Spanish

detrás

AdverbA1General
Use this word to indicate that something or someone is located at the back of, or in the rear of, another object or person.

Examples

El coche está aparcado detrás del edificio.

The car is parked behind the building.

atrás

AdverbA1General
Use this adverb to refer to a general location in the back or rear, often indicating movement or position away from the front.

Examples

Corre hacia atrás para recoger la pelota.

He runs backward to pick up the ball.

tras

/trahs//tɾas/

PrepositionB1General
Employ this preposition when one thing is immediately behind another in terms of physical space, often implying hiding or following.
A small, wide-eyed child peeking out from behind a large, bright red door, illustrating the concept of 'behind'.

Examples

La casa se encuentra tras una cortina de árboles.

The house is located behind a curtain of trees.

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.

'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.

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.

alcanzado

/al-kan-SAH-doh//alkanˈθaðo/

AdjectiveB2General
Use this adjective when someone is struggling to keep up, especially with financial obligations or a previous pace.
A small child reaching for a cookie jar on a high shelf but their hand is just a few inches short.

Examples

El equipo va muy alcanzado en el marcador.

The team is far behind on the scoreboard.

Ando un poco alcanzado de dinero este mes.

I'm a bit short of money this month.

Llegamos muy alcanzados de tiempo a la reunión.

We arrived very short on time to the meeting.

Location vs. Being Late

The most common confusion is between the adverbs 'detrás'/'atrás' and the adjective 'alcanzado'. 'Detrás' and 'atrás' always refer to physical location, while 'alcanzado' means to be lagging or falling behind in a process or task.

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