The prepositions desde and hasta are essential for expressing starting and ending points in time, space, and other contexts. While their use may seem simple, understanding their differences and common combinations is key to avoiding confusion. In this article, we will explore their meanings, common structures, and practical examples to help you use them accurately.

Desde and Hasta

These words help define starting and ending points in different contexts, such as time and place. Let’s break down their differences, provide clear examples, and guide you in using them naturally.

Desde (location or time)

Desde can refer to the origin of an action and can be translated as from or since. It can refer to a physical location or to time.

1. Desde (location)

El crucero saldrá desde Barcelona.

The cruise will leave from Barcelona.

Estoy escribiéndole una carta a mi familia desde aquí.

I am writing a letter to my family from here.

2. Desde (time)

El museo está en la ciudad desde 1998.

The museum is in the city since 1998.

No he visitado a mi familia desde Navidades.

I have not visited my family since Christmas.

If you refer to a period of time, you should use desde hace.

No he tenido noticias desde hace una semana.

I haven’t had any news for a week.

El museo está en la ciudad desde hace cinco años.

The museum has been in the city for five years now.

You can also refer to a fact or a situation as the origin or starting point of something. In this case, you should use desde que + sentence.

Desde que aislaron a la paciente, solo la ha visto el fisioterapeuta.

Since the patient was isolated, only the physiotherapist has seen her.

Desde que decidí ser donante de sangre, me hacen frecuentemente análisis de sangre.

Since I decided to donate blood, I often get blood tests.

Hasta (location or time)

The word hasta refers to the end or the reach of an action and can be translated as up to or until. It can refer to a physical location or to time.

1. Hasta (location)

Son cinco kilómetros hasta Madrid.

It’s five kilometers to Madrid.

En las próximas vacaciones, llegaremos en moto hasta Galicia.

On our next vacation, we’ll travel by motorbike until we reach Galicia.

2. Hasta (time)

Solo te esperaré hasta las tres de la tarde.

I’ll only wait for you until three p.m.

Nosotros viviremos en esta casa hasta el final del verano.

We’re going to live in that house until the end of the summer.

If you refer to a period of time, you should use hasta hace.

Hasta hace unos años, vivíamos en una casa más pequeña.

Until a few years ago, we lived in a smaller house.

El restaurante estaba abierto hasta hace un mes.

The restaurant was open until a month ago.

It can also refer to a fact or a situation that is a consequence or the latest point in time. In this case, you need hasta + sentence.

Jorge estuvo llamando por teléfono hasta que consiguió hablar con Luis.

Jorge called until he managed to speak with Luis.

Tuvimos diez minutos para la presentación hasta que se estropeó el ordenador.

We had ten minutes for the presentation before the computer broke.

Desde and Hasta

The words desde and hasta are often used together to talk about beginnings and endings, both when talking about time, locations, situations or descriptions.

Santiago viajó en autobús desde Barcelona hasta Madrid.

Santiago took the bus from Barcelona to Madrid.

La hora de comer es desde la una hasta las tres.

Lunchtime is from one to three.

Exercises

Here are some exercises to practice desde and hasta.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

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GrammarPrepositions