What does "detrás de" mean?
The phrase "detrás de" translates to "behind" or "at the back of." It is used to indicate that something or someone is positioned at the back of or further away than a reference point. It can be used both physically and figuratively, and is one of the most essential positional phrases in everyday Spanish.
Examples
1.
El aparcamiento está detrás del supermercado.
The car park is behind the supermarket. (presente de indicativo)
The car park is behind the supermarket. (presente de indicativo)
2.
¿Quién está detrás de esa decisión?
Who is behind that decision? (presente de indicativo — question)
Who is behind that decision? (presente de indicativo — question)
3.
De niño, siempre me sentaba detrás de mi mejor amigo en clase.
As a child, I always sat behind my best friend in class. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a child, I always sat behind my best friend in class. (imperfecto de indicativo)
4.
El ladrón se escondió detrás de un coche y esperó a que pasara la policía.
The thief hid behind a car and waited for the police to pass. (pretérito)
The thief hid behind a car and waited for the police to pass. (pretérito)
5.
La nueva parada de autobús estará detrás del ayuntamiento.
The new bus stop will be behind the town hall. (futuro)
The new bus stop will be behind the town hall. (futuro)
6.
Yo pondría el jardín detrás de la casa para tener más intimidad.
I would put the garden behind the house for more privacy. (potencial simple)
I would put the garden behind the house for more privacy. (potencial simple)
7.
No quiero que haya nadie detrás de mí en la foto.
I don't want anyone behind me in the photo. (presente de subjuntivo)
I don't want anyone behind me in the photo. (presente de subjuntivo)
8.
Me pidió que me quedara detrás de él durante toda la presentación.
He asked me to stay behind him throughout the presentation. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
He asked me to stay behind him throughout the presentation. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
9.
¿Has mirado detrás de la puerta? Creo que ahí están los abrigos.
Have you looked behind the door? I think the coats are there. (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you looked behind the door? I think the coats are there. (perfecto de indicativo)
10.
Cuando llegué al cine, ya se había formado una larga cola detrás de la taquilla.
When I arrived at the cinema, a long queue had already formed behind the ticket office. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When I arrived at the cinema, a long queue had already formed behind the ticket office. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
11.
Apenas hubieron descubierto quién estaba detrás del fraude, lo arrestaron.
As soon as they had discovered who was behind the fraud, they arrested him. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
As soon as they had discovered who was behind the fraud, they arrested him. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
12.
Para cuando termines, ya habremos colocado los muebles detrás de la pantalla.
By the time you finish, we will have placed the furniture behind the screen. (futuro perfecto)
By the time you finish, we will have placed the furniture behind the screen. (futuro perfecto)
13.
Habría aparcado detrás del edificio, pero estaba todo lleno.
I would have parked behind the building, but it was completely full. (potencial compuesto)
I would have parked behind the building, but it was completely full. (potencial compuesto)
14.
No creo que hayan puesto la entrada detrás del edificio sin avisar a nadie.
I don't think they have put the entrance behind the building without telling anyone. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I don't think they have put the entrance behind the building without telling anyone. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
Espera detrás de la puerta hasta que yo te llame.
Wait behind the door until I call you. (imperativo)
Wait behind the door until I call you. (imperativo)