What does "dentro de" mean?
The phrase "dentro de" translates to "inside," "within," or "in." It has two main uses: a physical one to describe something located inside a space or container, and a time-based one to indicate that something will happen after a specified period — for example, dentro de dos horas means "in two hours." Both uses are extremely common in everyday Spanish.
Examples
1.
Las llaves están dentro del cajón de la cocina.
The keys are inside the kitchen drawer. (presente de indicativo)
The keys are inside the kitchen drawer. (presente de indicativo)
2.
¿Cuándo llega? — Dentro de una hora.
When does he arrive? — In an hour. (presente de indicativo — question)
When does he arrive? — In an hour. (presente de indicativo — question)
3.
De niño, siempre guardaba sus juguetes dentro de una caja debajo de la cama.
As a child, she always kept her toys inside a box under the bed. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a child, she always kept her toys inside a box under the bed. (imperfecto de indicativo)
4.
Encontró el documento dentro de una carpeta vieja en el armario.
He found the document inside an old folder in the wardrobe. (pretérito)
He found the document inside an old folder in the wardrobe. (pretérito)
5.
Dentro de dos semanas, recibirás los resultados del análisis.
Within two weeks, you will receive the results of the test. (futuro)
Within two weeks, you will receive the results of the test. (futuro)
6.
Dentro de lo posible, intentaría llegar antes de las nueve.
Within what is possible, I would try to arrive before nine. (potencial simple)
Within what is possible, I would try to arrive before nine. (potencial simple)
7.
Es importante que todo esté dentro de los límites del presupuesto.
It is important that everything be within the budget limits. (presente de subjuntivo)
It is important that everything be within the budget limits. (presente de subjuntivo)
8.
Me pidió que lo entregara dentro de un plazo de tres días.
She asked me to deliver it within a period of three days. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
She asked me to deliver it within a period of three days. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
9.
¿Has mirado dentro de la mochila? Creo que ahí está tu cartera.
Have you looked inside the backpack? I think your wallet is there. (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you looked inside the backpack? I think your wallet is there. (perfecto de indicativo)
10.
Cuando llegué, ya habían guardado todo dentro de las cajas y sellado.
When I arrived, they had already put everything inside the boxes and sealed them. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When I arrived, they had already put everything inside the boxes and sealed them. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
11.
Apenas hubieron entrado dentro del edificio, sonó la alarma.
As soon as they had entered inside the building, the alarm went off. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
As soon as they had entered inside the building, the alarm went off. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
12.
Para el lunes, dentro de lo acordado, habremos terminado el primer borrador.
By Monday, within what was agreed, we will have finished the first draft. (futuro perfecto)
By Monday, within what was agreed, we will have finished the first draft. (futuro perfecto)
13.
Habría terminado dentro del plazo, pero surgió un problema de última hora.
I would have finished within the deadline, but a last-minute problem came up. (potencial compuesto)
I would have finished within the deadline, but a last-minute problem came up. (potencial compuesto)
14.
No creo que hayan resuelto el problema dentro del tiempo previsto.
I don't think they have resolved the problem within the expected time. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I don't think they have resolved the problem within the expected time. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
Guarda el pasaporte dentro de la mochila para no perderlo.
Keep the passport inside the backpack so you don't lose it. (imperativo)
Keep the passport inside the backpack so you don't lose it. (imperativo)