The English word "by" is a tricky one because it has so many different meanings and uses. This means there isn't one single perfect translation in Spanish. To accurately translate "by," you need to consider the context in which it's used. This guide will break down the various ways to say "by" in Spanish, depending on the situation.
Common Ways to Say "By" in Spanish
Here are some of the most frequent translations, along with examples:
1. Expressing Means or Method: "Por" and "Con"
When "by" indicates the means or method by which something is done, you'll typically use "por" or "con."
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"Por" emphasizes the agent or instrument.
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English: I travel by car.
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Spanish: Viajo por coche. (I travel by car)
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English: He was killed by a sword.
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Spanish: Fue asesinado por una espada. (He was killed by a sword)
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"Con" emphasizes the use of a tool or accompaniment.
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English: She wrote the letter by hand.
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Spanish: Ella escribió la carta con la mano. (She wrote the letter by hand.)
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English: I make bread by using a sourdough starter.
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Spanish: Hago pan con un fermento de masa madre. (I make bread using a sourdough starter)
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2. Expressing Location or Proximity: "Cerca de," "Junto a," "Al lado de"
When "by" indicates location, several options exist:
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"Cerca de": near
- English: The house is by the river.
- Spanish: La casa está cerca del río. (The house is near the river.)
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"Junto a": next to
- English: He sat by the window.
- Spanish: Se sentó junto a la ventana. (He sat next to the window.)
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"Al lado de": beside
- English: The restaurant is by the park.
- Spanish: El restaurante está al lado del parque. (The restaurant is beside the park.)
3. Indicating Time: "Para," "A," "Por," "Hacia"
When "by" refers to a deadline or a point in time, different prepositions are needed.
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"Para": by, for (indicating a deadline)
- English: I need this done by Friday.
- Spanish: Necesito que esto esté hecho para el viernes. (I need this done by Friday.)
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"A": at (indicating a specific time) Often used with the hour
- English: I'll be there by 8 pm.
- Spanish: Estaré allí a las 8 pm. (I'll be there at 8 pm.)
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"Por": around (indicating an approximate time)
- English: He arrived by noon.
- Spanish: Llegó por el mediodía. (He arrived around noon.)
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"Hacia": towards (indicating a direction in time)
- English: By the end of the year…
- Spanish: Hacia finales de año… (Towards the end of the year…)
4. Expressing Agents or People: "Por"
When "by" indicates the person who did something, use "por."
* **English:** This painting was done by Picasso.
* **Spanish:** Esta pintura fue hecha **por** Picasso. (This painting was done by Picasso.)
5. "By" in Idiomatic Expressions
The translation of "by" will often depend heavily on the specific idiomatic expression. There's no single rule; you'll have to learn each one individually. For example:
* **English:** One by one.
* **Spanish:** Uno **a** uno. (One by one - note the use of "a" here instead of "por")
* **English:** Step by step.
* **Spanish:** Paso a paso. (Step by step - again, "a" instead of "por")
Mastering "By" in Spanish: Practice Makes Perfect!
The best way to become comfortable translating "by" in Spanish is through practice. Pay close attention to the context and experiment with different translations. The more you immerse yourself in the language, the more naturally you'll select the correct preposition each time. Don't be afraid to consult a dictionary or native speaker if you're unsure!
