What’s the difference between de and desde?

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Introduction

The prepositions de and desde are very similar; they can both be translated as from, but are used in different contexts. Learn to use these Spanish prepositions correctly with Lingolia’s quick and easy examples, then put your knowledge to the test in the exercises.

Example

SE BUSCA

Desde el lunes, un bolso de viaje, de cuero negro. Olvidado en un tren de cercanías que viajaba desde Avilés hasta Oviedo.

Se ofrece una recompensa de 200€.

de

The preposition de is used to express the following:

  • possession, similar to the English possessive ’s;
    Example:
    Este es el ordenador de María.This is María’s computer.
  • origin;
    Example:
    María es de Badajoz.María is from Badajoz.
  • material;
    Example:
    La bicicleta es de aluminio.The bike is made from aluminium.
  • content;
    Example:
    Una taza de café.A cup of coffee.
  • type;
    Examples:
    novela de aventurasAn adventure novel.
    ropa de deportesports clothes
  • verbal periphrasis;
    Example:
    Lucía acaba de llegar.Lucía has just arrived.
  • certain time expressions;
    Examples:
    de niñoas a child
    de madrugadain the early morning
    a las 3 de la tardeat 3 in the afternoon
    but: por la tarde
  • the time marker from … to;
    Examples:
    de 8 de la mañana a 6 de la tardefrom 8 in the morning to 6 in the evening
    without a definite article (de las 8 a las 6)
    de enero a mayofrom January to May
  • in prepositional phrases of time;
    Examples:
    antes debefore
    después deafter
  • in prepositional phrases of place.
    Examples:
    debajo de la mesaunder the table
    detrás del sofábehind the sofa

desde

The preposition desde can be translated as from in the sense of a starting point. It expresses:

    • the time when an action begins, (from or since);
      Examples:
      desde ahorafrom now
      desde el lunessince Monday
      desde la adolescenciasince adolescence

Learn more about in which contexts desde means since.

  • a point of origin;
    Examples:
    desde aquífrom here
    desde la estación de Chamartínfrom Chamartín station
  • a starting amount.
    Example:
    En esta tienda hay ordenadores desde 1000€.In this shop there are computers from €1000.

It is also used to express:

  • a perspective;
    Example:
    desde mi punto de vistafrom my point of view
    desde el punto de vista gramaticalfrom a grammatical point of view
  • the time marker from … until.
    Examples:
    desde las 8 hasta las 6from 8 until 6.
    with a definite article (desde 8 hasta 6)
    desde enero hasta mayofrom January until May