Inklingo

How to Say "behind" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “behind” is “detrás” — use 'detrás' when indicating a specific physical location, meaning 'at the back of' or 'behind' something.

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detrás

AdverbA1General
Use 'detrás' when indicating a specific physical location, meaning 'at the back of' or 'behind' something.

Examples

El perro está detrás de la puerta.

The dog is behind the door.

atrás

AdverbA1General
Use 'atrás' to refer to the back area or a general position behind something, often indicating movement backward or a place further back.

Examples

Mi casa está un poco atrás de la tienda.

My house is a bit behind the store.

tras

trahstɾas

PrepositionB1General
Use 'tras' specifically to indicate something or someone following closely behind another in a physical sense, or hiding behind something.
A small, wide-eyed child peeking out from behind a large, bright red door, illustrating the concept of 'behind'.

Examples

El ladrón corrió tras la policía.

The thief ran behind the police.

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.

atrasado

ah-trah-SAH-dohatɾaˈsaðo

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'atrasado' when referring to being late for an appointment, event, or task, or something not being up-to-date.
A person running quickly while holding a briefcase, looking hurried.

Examples

El tren llegó atrasado por la nieve.

The train arrived late due to the snow.

Llegué diez minutos atrasado a la clase.

I arrived ten minutes late to the class.

El tren viene muy atrasado hoy.

The train is running very late today.

Estoy un poco atrasado con el trabajo de la universidad.

I am a bit behind with my university work.

Matches the person or thing

Since this word is an adjective, its ending changes to match who or what you are talking about. Use 'atrasada' for a female person or feminine object, and add an 's' for plurals.

Use with 'estar'

When talking about being late for a specific event, use the verb 'estar' (to be) because being late is a temporary state, not a permanent personality trait.

Atrasado vs. Tarde

Mistake: “Soy atrasado.”

Correction: Estoy atrasado (I am late) or Llegué tarde (I arrived late). 'Soy' implies that you are a 'late person' by nature, which sounds very strange in Spanish.

alcanzado

al-kan-SAH-dohalkanˈθaðo

AdjectiveB2Informal
Use 'alcanzado' to describe a situation where someone is struggling financially and cannot keep up with payments or debts.
A small child reaching for a cookie jar on a high shelf but their hand is just a few inches short.

Examples

No pude pagar la factura a tiempo, estoy un poco alcanzado.

I couldn't pay the bill on time, I'm a bit behind.

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. Lateness

The most common mistake is confusing 'detrás'/'atrás' (location) with 'atrasado' (lateness). Remember, if you are describing where something is, use 'detrás' or 'atrás'. If you are describing being late, use 'atrasado'.

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