Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "From" in Spanish
De · preposition · deh
"From" is primarily translated as "de" in Spanish, used to indicate origin, possession, and material. When emphasizing a starting point in time or distance, "desde" is the better choice.
deh
Soy de Argentina y vivo en Madrid desde hace cinco años.
I'm from Argentina and I've been living in Madrid for five years.
From in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for from, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| de | from | deh | Default, widely understood |
| desde | from | Universal (from a point in time or space) | |
| a partir de | from | Universal (starting from) |
How Native Speakers Use De
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Expressing origin
María es de Colombia y su esposo es de Chile.
María is from Colombia and her husband is from Chile.
Using "de" to state where someone is originally from.
Starting point in time
Trabajo desde las ocho de la mañana hasta las cinco de la tarde.
I work from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon.
Using "desde" to mark the beginning of a time range.
Starting point (formal)
A partir de mañana, el horario cambiará para todos los empleados.
Starting from tomorrow, the schedule will change for all employees.
Using "a partir de" to indicate a change taking effect from a specific moment.
Material or composition
Esta mesa está hecha de madera de roble.
This table is made from oak wood.
Using "de" to describe what something is made of.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using De
Using "de" when "desde" is needed for emphasis
Incorrect: Caminamos de la plaza al museo. (emphasizing distance)
Correct: Caminamos desde la plaza hasta el museo.
When you want to stress the starting point of a journey or range, "desde" paired with "hasta" is more precise. "De" works for origin but lacks the emphasis on departure that "desde" provides.
Forgetting the contraction "del"
Incorrect: Vengo de el supermercado.
Correct: Vengo del supermercado.
In Spanish, "de" + "el" must contract to "del." This contraction is mandatory and never optional. Failing to use it is a grammatical error.
Lock in From Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See De used by native speakers
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Common Questions About From in Spanish
- What is the difference between "de" and "desde"?
- "De" indicates origin, possession, or material in a general sense ("soy de México," "la casa de Juan"). "Desde" specifically marks a starting point in time or space and often pairs with "hasta" (until/to): "desde las tres hasta las seis."
- When should I use "a partir de" instead of "desde"?
- "A partir de" emphasizes that something begins at a certain moment and continues forward, often implying a change or new rule: "A partir de hoy, no se permite fumar aquí" (From today on, smoking is not allowed here). "Desde" is more neutral about the continuation.
- Does "de" contract with other articles besides "el"?
- The contraction del only happens with the masculine singular article el. With la, los, and las, you keep the words separate: de la casa (not *dela casa), de los niños (not *delos niños). This is different from al, which follows the same el-only rule (a + el = al).