How To Say "By" In Spanish
Are you struggling with understanding how to say "by" in Spanish? Do not worry, you are not alone. Many people find it challenging to learn a new language and get the nuances right, but with a little guidance, you can quickly get the hang of it.
Fast track your vocabulary with the 10.000 most common Spanish words!
What is "By" in Spanish?
The word "by" is a preposition in English that is used to indicate the agent performing an action or the means by which something is done. In Spanish, the equivalent word for "by" is "por" (IPA: /pɔr/).
Meaning of "By" in Spanish
In Spanish, the word "por" has multiple meanings and can be used as a preposition or as part of certain verb constructions. Here are some of the most common uses of "por":
Expressing causation or reason:
- Lo hice por amor.
(I did it out of love.)
Expressing duration of time:
- Estuvo en el parque por dos horas.
(He was in the park for two hours.)
Expressing a method of communication or transportation:
- Prefiero hablar por teléfono.
(I prefer to talk on the phone.)
Expressing a rate or exchange:
- Te compro el coche por $5000.
(I'll buy your car for $5000.)
Expressing a place or location:
- Pasa por mi casa a las 7.
(Stop by my house at 7.)
Expressing gratitude or apology:
- Gracias por tu ayuda.
(Thank you for your help.)
Note that the pronunciation of "por" is the same for all of these meanings, but its usage and the words it is used with can change depending on the context.
4 eBooks of the Spanish Frequency Dictionaries series by MostUsedWords
Regional Differences
It is essential to note that there are regional differences in the use of the word "Por" in Spanish. For example, in Spain, it is more common to use a través de (IPA: /a tɾa'ves de/) to indicate the means or manner in which something is done. However, in Latin American countries, "por" is the preferred choice.
How to say By in Spanish?
Here are some common Spanish phrases using "Por" that you can use in your everyday conversations:
- Por coche: /pɔr ˈkotʃe/ (literally, "by car")
- Por avión: /pɔr aˈβjon/ (literally, "by plane")
- Por teléfono: /pɔr teˈle.fono/ (literally, "by telephone")
- A pie: /a ˈpje/ (literally, "on foot")
- Por correo electrónico: /pɔr koˈre.o e.lek.troˈni.ko/ (literally, "by email")
Remember that Spanish is a phonetic language, meaning you pronounce each letter. Pay attention to the accent marks, as they can change the meaning of the word.
You can find the paperbacks on Amazon (we have frequency dictionaries for beginners, intermediates, advanced and near-fluent students), or get the eBooks directly from us here. (They are affiliate links. That means we might get a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking these links, at no extra cost to you.)
How to Say By in Spanish: Sample Sentences
Here are five sample sentences you can use to say "by" in Spanish:
- Necesito terminar este trabajo por mañana.
(I need to finish this work by tomorrow.)
- ¿Cómo llegaste a la fiesta? - Llegué en bicicleta.
(How did you get to the party? - I arrived by bike.)
- Esta estatua fue hecha por un artista famoso.
(This statue was made by a famous artist.)
- ¿A qué hora tienes que entregar el informe? - A las 4 pm.
(What time do you have to submit the report? - By 4 pm.)
- Aprendí a cocinar mediante un curso de cocina en línea.
(I learned to cook by taking an online cooking course.)
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to using "by" in Spanish, the most important thing to remember is that there may be regional differences in how it is used. However, by learning the most common translations and uses of "by" in Spanish, you will be well on your way to mastering this basic preposition.