De in geographical names
la isla de Aruba the island of Aruba
el camino de Machu Picchu the track to Machu Picchu
De to state what something is made of or contains
una caja de madera a wooden box
De to refer to what is written or spoken ‘about’
Están hablando de su visita They are talking about their visit
a México. to Mexico.
Note: A formal and more exhaustive treatment of a subject is often conveyed by
the use of sobre. See 21.10.4.
De to indicate cause
Falleció de cólera. He died of cholera.
loco de alegría wildly happy
De to translate ‘as’ or ‘like’
This usage refers to a person’s actual occupation, an assumed role, or their
stage in life.
It can also indicate the use to which something is put:
Lole trabaja de azafata. Lole works as an air
hostess/flight attendant.
Se vistieron de payasos. They dressed as clowns.
De niño vivía en otro país. As a boy I lived in another
country.
Este palo puede servir de This stick could serve as a
bastón. walking stick.
21.6.7
21.6.6
21.6.5
21.6.4
(^1111) 21.6.3
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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1
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20111
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
30111
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