Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "Behind" in Spanish
Detrás · adverb · deh-TRAHS
Detrás is the main Spanish word for "behind." To say "behind something," add de: detrás de la puerta (behind the door). The related word atrás is used more for direction or general position ("step back," "farther behind"). Both are adverbs, but detrás de functions as a preposition when combined with de.
deh-TRAHS
El gato se escondió detrás del sofá.
The cat hid behind the sofa.
Behind in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for behind, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| detrás | behind | deh-TRAHS | Default, widely understood |
| detrás de | behind | behind something — prepositional phrase | |
| atrás | behind | back or behind in a more general or directional sense | |
| trasero | behind | noun — rear, backside (also informal for buttocks) |
How Native Speakers Use Detrás
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Location — behind an object
Las llaves están detrás del libro en la estantería.
The keys are behind the book on the shelf.
Detrás de + noun is the standard way to indicate position behind something.
Direction — moving back
Da un paso atrás, por favor, necesito más espacio.
Take a step back, please, I need more space.
Atrás is preferred for direction or movement (stepping back, looking back).
Figurative usage
Dejemos los problemas detrás y empecemos de nuevo.
Let's leave the problems behind and start over.
Detrás works figuratively to mean leaving something in the past.
Asking about location
¿Qué hay detrás de esa puerta?
What's behind that door?
A common question structure using detrás de for spatial curiosity.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Detrás
Omitting de after detrás
Incorrect: Está detrás la casa.
Correct: Está detrás de la casa.
When specifying what something is behind, you need the preposition de. Detrás alone works only when the reference point is already understood.
Confusing detrás and atrás
Incorrect: El jardín está atrás de la casa.
Correct: El jardín está detrás de la casa.
Detrás de is the correct prepositional phrase for "behind something." Atrás is used more for general direction ("go back") and does not typically pair with de in standard Spanish, though some regions accept atrás de informally.
Lock in Behind Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Detrás used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using detrás in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El gato se escondió detrás del sofá. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Behind in Spanish
- What is the difference between detrás and atrás?
- Detrás indicates a specific position behind something (detrás de la mesa = behind the table). Atrás indicates general direction or backward movement (caminar hacia atrás = walk backward). Think of detrás as "behind" and atrás as "back."
- How do you say 'behind schedule' in Spanish?
- You can say con retraso, atrasado, or retrasado. For example: "El proyecto va con retraso" (The project is behind schedule).
- Can detrás be used without de?
- Yes, when the reference point is already understood. For example: "Yo voy delante y tú vas detrás" (I'll go in front and you go behind). Here, no de is needed because no specific object follows.