The Preposition "Tras" for Time
When narrating historical events, news, or formal stories, you will often encounter the preposition tras. When talking about time, it means "after." It is a slightly more formal or literary equivalent to después de.
You can use tras directly before a noun to show that one event follows another.
| After the mutiny, they have overthrown the queen today. | Tras el motín, hoy han derrocado a la reina. |
| The mutiny began after the truce. | El motín empezó tras la tregua. |
"Tras" + Infinitive Verbs
When describing an action that happens after doing something else, you can pair tras directly with an infinitive verb. You will typically use this when the same subject is performing both actions.
| The general proclaimed the truce after initiating the offensive. | El general proclamó la tregua tras iniciar la ofensiva. |
| They proclaimed the republic after overthrowing the empire. | Proclamaron la república tras derrocar el imperio. |
"Tras" for Space (Behind)
Aside from time, tras is also used to indicate physical location, meaning "behind." In this context, it acts as a formal alternative to detrás de. You will often see it used in literature and dramatic narratives to describe where someone or something is hiding or located.
| The women hid the weapon behind the wall during the retreat. | Las mujeres escondieron el arma tras el muro durante la retirada. |
| We found the spy behind the door. | Encontramos al espía tras la puerta. |
| The sun disappeared behind the mountain. | El sol desapareció tras la montaña. |