What does "debajo de" mean?
The phrase "debajo de" translates to "under," "underneath," or "below." It is used to indicate that something is in a lower position relative to something else, either physically or figuratively. It is one of the most common positional phrases in everyday Spanish.
Examples
1.
Las llaves están debajo de la alfombra.
The keys are under the mat. (presente de indicativo)
The keys are under the mat. (presente de indicativo)
2.
¿Has mirado debajo de la cama?
Have you looked under the bed? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you looked under the bed? (perfecto de indicativo)
3.
De niño, siempre escondía sus juguetes debajo de la cama.
As a child, he always hid his toys under the bed. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a child, he always hid his toys under the bed. (imperfecto de indicativo)
4.
El gato se metió debajo del sofá y no quería salir.
The cat got under the sofa and didn't want to come out. (pretérito)
The cat got under the sofa and didn't want to come out. (pretérito)
5.
El aparcamiento estará debajo del nuevo centro comercial.
The car park will be under the new shopping centre. (futuro)
The car park will be under the new shopping centre. (futuro)
6.
Yo pondría la caja debajo de las escaleras para ahorrar espacio.
I would put the box under the stairs to save space. (potencial simple)
I would put the box under the stairs to save space. (potencial simple)
7.
No quiero que los niños jueguen debajo de la mesa durante la cena.
I don't want the children to play under the table during dinner. (presente de subjuntivo)
I don't want the children to play under the table during dinner. (presente de subjuntivo)
8.
Me pidió que guardara los documentos debajo del mostrador.
She asked me to keep the documents under the counter. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
She asked me to keep the documents under the counter. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
9.
Cuando llegué a casa, ya habían puesto todas las cajas debajo de la escalera.
When I got home, they had already put all the boxes under the stairs. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When I got home, they had already put all the boxes under the stairs. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
10.
Apenas hubieron encontrado el documento debajo de la mesa, comenzó la reunión.
As soon as they had found the document under the table, the meeting began. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
As soon as they had found the document under the table, the meeting began. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
11.
Para cuando llegues, ya habremos colocado todo debajo del mostrador.
By the time you arrive, we will have placed everything under the counter. (futuro perfecto)
By the time you arrive, we will have placed everything under the counter. (futuro perfecto)
12.
Habría guardado el dinero debajo del colchón, pero me pareció mala idea.
I would have kept the money under the mattress, but it seemed like a bad idea. (potencial compuesto)
I would have kept the money under the mattress, but it seemed like a bad idea. (potencial compuesto)
13.
No creo que hayan escondido las llaves debajo del felpudo otra vez.
I don't think they have hidden the keys under the doormat again. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I don't think they have hidden the keys under the doormat again. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14.
Si hubiera mirado debajo del asiento antes, habría encontrado el móvil mucho antes.
If I had looked under the seat earlier, I would have found the phone much sooner. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If I had looked under the seat earlier, I would have found the phone much sooner. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
Mira debajo de la silla — creo que ahí están tus gafas.
Look under the chair — I think your glasses are there. (imperativo)
Look under the chair — I think your glasses are there. (imperativo)