Compound prepositions of time and direction

Level 3

Des de, fins a and cap a make starting points, limits and approximations explicit.

How It Works

Des de identifies a beginning in time or space: des de dilluns, des de casa. Fins a identifies an endpoint in many noun phrases: fins a les nou, fins a la plaça. Together they can express a whole range.

Cap a gives direction toward a place or an approximate time: cap a Girona, cap a les vuit. It does not necessarily say that the destination was reached, and the time is less exact than a les vuit.

Common adverbial endpoints omit a: fins aquí, fins demà. Apply normal contractions before masculine articles: des del pont, fins al centre, cap al nord. Choose the relation before the spelling; a start, endpoint and approximate direction convey different information even when all mention the same place or time.

Examples (3)

  1. Treballo des de les nou fins a les cinc.

    I work from nine until five.

  2. Arribarem cap a les vuit.

    We will arrive around eight.

  3. Caminem des del pont fins a la plaça.

    We walk from the bridge to the square.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Compound prepositions of time and directionLevel 3

Learn This First

Mark endpoints with fins a. Recognize destination and time phrases.

Words in This Pattern

des decap afins