"DESDE" y "DE" - How to say "FROM"
While "desde" can be translated as "since" and "de" as "of", both words can mean for. This can cause a bit of confusion for people learning Spanish, as the distinction between the two isn't always clear; in fact, in many cases the two are interchangeable. So how do you know which "from" to use?
Keep reading for a run down of the uses of each and provide a few examples.
"DESDE" - Rules, Uses & Examples
Desde tends to indicate the origin of an action, even if a destination isn't mentioned. Desde is also used with several other prepositions, creating phrases that also indicate motion. Below you can see just a few:
- El avión vuela desde Nueva York a Los Ángeles.
(The plane flies from New York to Los Angeles.) - Desde abajo
(From below) - Desde arriba
(From above) - Desde dentro
(From within) - Me llamó desde Italia.
(He called me from Italy.) - Desde aqui se ve toda la ciudad
(From here you can see the whole city.)
"DE" - Rules, Uses & Examples
De which generally means "of", can also be translated as "from" when indicating the origin of something or someone. Even if it sounds a bit strange, one little trick to keep in mind is that if "from" can be switched out for "of", then you're likely going to be using de.
- Soy de Francia.
(I'm from France / I'm of France) - Sacó los libros de la mochila.
(She took the books from the purse / She took the books of the purse) - Estoy cansado de estudiar.
(I'm tired from studying / I'm tired of studying) - Recibí una carta de mi hermano.
(I received a letter from my brother. / I received a letter of my brother.)