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por todas partes

A2 adverb #1,500 most common 15 min read

por todas partes

In every place; everywhere.

Top 1,500

At the A1 level, you are learning how to describe your basic surroundings and talk about where things are. The phrase 'por todas partes' is a very useful chunk of vocabulary to learn early on. It means 'everywhere' or 'all over the place'. Instead of listing many different places, you can just use this one phrase to say that something is in many locations. For example, if your room is very messy and your clothes are on the bed, on the floor, and on the chair, you can simply say 'Hay ropa por todas partes' (There are clothes everywhere). It is made of three simple words: 'por' (through/by), 'todas' (all), and 'partes' (parts). You don't need to change these words; they always stay exactly the same. You will often use it with the word 'hay' (there is/there are). If you lose your pen and you look in your bag, on your desk, and in your pockets, you can say 'Busco mi bolígrafo por todas partes' (I am looking for my pen everywhere). It is a great way to make your Spanish sound more natural without needing to know complicated grammar rules. Just remember to put it at the end of your sentence.

At the A2 level, your ability to describe events and situations is expanding. 'Por todas partes' becomes an essential tool for adding detail and emphasis to your stories. You already know it means 'everywhere', but now you can start using it with a wider variety of verbs beyond just 'hay' and 'buscar'. You can use it with verbs of motion, like 'correr' (to run) or 'volar' (to fly). For instance, 'Los niños corren por todas partes' (The children run everywhere). You can also use it in the past tense to talk about things that happened. 'Ayer, busqué mis llaves por todas partes' (Yesterday, I looked for my keys everywhere). It is important to understand the difference between 'por' and 'en' at this level. While 'en todas partes' means something is located everywhere (static), 'por todas partes' often implies that something is scattered, moving, or spread out. If you spill a glass of water, you would say 'El agua está por todas partes' because it spread out. This phrase helps you express frustration when things are messy, or amazement when you see something abundant, like flowers in a park. Keep practicing it at the end of your sentences to sound more fluent.

As a B1 learner, you are developing the ability to express yourself with greater nuance and handle more complex communicative tasks. 'Por todas partes' is no longer just for describing messy rooms; it becomes a way to express abstract ideas and widespread phenomena. You can use it to talk about news, trends, or rumors. For example, 'Esa noticia está por todas partes' (That news is everywhere). You will also start to notice regional variations. In many parts of Latin America, you will hear 'por todos lados' used interchangeably with 'por todas partes'. Both are perfectly correct, and knowing both increases your listening comprehension. At this level, you should also be comfortable using this phrase with direct and indirect object pronouns. 'Lo busqué por todas partes' (I looked for it everywhere). The placement of the pronoun before the verb and the adverbial phrase at the end is a key syntactic pattern to master. Furthermore, you can use it to add dramatic effect to your anecdotes. If you are telling a story about a terrible storm, saying 'Había árboles caídos por todas partes' paints a much more vivid picture than simply saying many trees fell. It is a powerful descriptive tool.

At the B2 level, your focus shifts towards fluency, natural expression, and understanding subtler shades of meaning. You are expected to use idiomatic expressions comfortably. 'Por todas partes' is deeply ingrained in the natural rhythm of spoken Spanish. You should be aware of how native speakers use it for hyperbole. When someone says 'Te veo por todas partes' (I see you everywhere), they don't mean it literally; they mean you are constantly on their mind or they keep running into you. You should also understand the precise distinction between 'por todas partes' and 'en todas partes'. While often interchangeable in casual speech, 'por' carries the inherent meaning of trajectory, transit, or diffuse distribution, whereas 'en' denotes a fixed point of location. Therefore, 'El rumor se extendió por todas partes' is more natural than 'en todas partes' because 'extenderse' implies movement. Additionally, you should be comfortable using it in complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or conditional sentences: 'Si dejas comida fuera, habrá hormigas por todas partes'. Your use of the phrase should feel automatic and contextually appropriate, matching the emotional tone of the conversation, whether it's exasperation, awe, or simple factual description.

At the C1 level, you possess an advanced, flexible command of the language. Your use of 'por todas partes' should be seamless, and you should be fully aware of its stylistic alternatives. While 'por todas partes' and 'por todos lados' are standard for spoken and informal written Spanish, you should now actively recognize and occasionally employ higher-register synonyms like 'por doquier' in formal writing or academic contexts. 'Por doquier' adds a layer of literary sophistication to your expression. Furthermore, you understand the pragmatic function of 'por todas partes' in discourse. It serves not just as an adverb of place, but as an intensifier that amplifies the scope of the verb it modifies. In literature, it is used to establish an immersive atmosphere or a pervasive mood. You can analyze how authors use it to create a sense of omnipresence or inescapable reality. You are also capable of playing with the phrase syntactically for rhetorical effect, perhaps fronting it for emphasis: 'Por todas partes, la destrucción era evidente'. At this stage, you don't just know what the phrase means; you understand how it shapes the narrative and emotional landscape of a text or speech.

At the C2 level, your mastery of Spanish is near-native. You understand 'por todas partes' not just as a vocabulary item, but as a reflection of how the Spanish language conceptualizes space and movement through prepositions. You can engage in metalinguistic discussions about why 'por' is the necessary preposition here, linking it to the historical evolution of Latin prepositions and the Spanish tendency to favor dynamic spatial descriptions over static ones. You effortlessly navigate the subtle semantic boundaries between 'por todas partes', 'en todas partes', 'por doquier', and 'dondequiera', choosing the exact right word based on the microscopic nuances of register, rhythm, and poetic intent. You recognize when the phrase is used ironically or metaphorically in complex sociopolitical commentary or avant-garde literature. Your production is flawless, integrating the phrase into highly complex, multi-clausal sentences without hesitation. You understand that 'por todas partes' is a linguistic anchor that grounds abstract concepts in a physical, spatial reality, allowing speakers to make the intangible feel omnipresent. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, demonstrating complete control over the idiomatic and structural intricacies of the language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

por todas partes in 30 Seconds

Means 'everywhere' or 'all over the place'.
Always feminine plural: 'todas partes'.
Often used with 'hay' (there is/are) or 'buscar' (to search).
Implies things are spread out or scattered.

The Spanish adverbial phrase 'por todas partes' is a fundamental expression used to convey the idea of omnipresence, widespread distribution, or movement in every conceivable direction. When we break down the phrase into its constituent parts, we find three distinct words: 'por' (a highly versatile preposition often indicating movement through, along, or by), 'todas' (the feminine plural adjective meaning 'all' or 'every'), and 'partes' (the feminine plural noun meaning 'parts' or 'places'). Together, they form a cohesive unit that translates directly to 'through all parts' but is universally understood in English as 'everywhere' or 'all over the place'. Understanding this phrase requires a grasp of how Spanish conceptualizes space and movement. Unlike the English 'everywhere', which functions as a single compound adverb, the Spanish equivalent relies on a prepositional phrase that inherently suggests a dynamic relationship with the space being described. This dynamic nature is primarily driven by the preposition 'por'. In Spanish grammar, 'por' is frequently used to indicate motion within an area, a diffuse location, or a route. Therefore, when you say something is 'por todas partes', you are often implying a sense of scattering, spreading, or a lack of specific, pinpointed location. It paints a picture of something covering an area comprehensively.

Grammatical Breakdown: The phrase consists of the preposition 'por', the determiner 'todas', and the noun 'partes'. It functions collectively as an adverb of place.

Busqué mis llaves por todas partes pero no las encontré.

The usage of this phrase extends beyond physical objects. It can be applied to abstract concepts, sounds, smells, and even people. For instance, if a particular song is extremely popular and playing on every radio station, in every café, and from passing cars, you would say the song is 'por todas partes'. This highlights the phrase's utility in expressing hyperbole and emphasis. In everyday conversation, native speakers rely heavily on this expression to exaggerate a situation for dramatic effect, such as complaining about a mess.

Semantic Nuance: While 'en todas partes' means 'in all places' (static), 'por todas partes' often carries a subtle implication of movement, scattering, or looking 'through' all places.

Había agua por todas partes después de la tormenta.

Los niños dejaron sus juguetes tirados por todas partes.

Furthermore, the phrase is deeply embedded in the cultural communication style of Spanish speakers, who often use expressive and expansive language. When describing a chaotic scene, a beautiful spring day with flowers blooming, or a widespread rumor, 'por todas partes' serves as the perfect linguistic tool. It is important for learners at the A2 level to master this phrase early on, as it significantly enhances their ability to describe their surroundings, narrate events, and express frustration or amazement. The versatility of the phrase means it can modify a wide variety of verbs, most notably verbs of perception (ver, escuchar), verbs of motion (caminar, correr), and verbs of existence or location (haber, estar).

Common Verbs: Frequently paired with verbs like 'buscar' (to search), 'haber' (there is/are), 'mirar' (to look), and 'encontrar' (to find).

Esa noticia está por todas partes en internet.

Miré por todas partes y no vi a nadie.

To truly internalize the meaning of 'por todas partes', learners should practice visualizing the concept of 'por' as a trajectory or a spreading action. Imagine spilling a bag of marbles on a hard floor; they roll and scatter in every direction. They are now 'por todas partes'. This visualization helps cement the difference between a specific location (en la mesa) and a diffuse, widespread location. The phrase is a testament to the descriptive power of Spanish prepositions and their ability to shape the spatial reality of a sentence. Mastering it will undoubtedly make your Spanish sound more natural, fluent, and expressive.

Using 'por todas partes' correctly involves understanding its syntactic placement within a sentence, the verbs it most naturally complements, and the specific contexts where it shines. As an adverbial phrase of place, its primary function is to modify a verb, telling us 'where' an action occurs or 'where' a state exists. In terms of sentence structure, 'por todas partes' is highly flexible, though it most commonly appears at the end of a clause or sentence. This final position is the natural resting place for adverbial information in Spanish, providing a concluding detail to the core action. However, for stylistic reasons or to place heavy emphasis on the widespread nature of something, a speaker might move the phrase to the beginning of the sentence.

Sentence Position: Usually placed after the verb or at the end of the sentence. Can be placed at the beginning for strong emphasis.

La policía buscó al ladrón por todas partes.

Let's examine the verbs that frequently partner with this phrase. The verb 'haber' (in its impersonal form 'hay', 'había', 'hubo') is perhaps the most common companion. When you want to describe a scene where objects or people are scattered everywhere, 'haber + por todas partes' is the go-to structure. Another crucial category includes verbs of searching and looking, such as 'buscar' (to look for) and 'mirar' (to look). When you lose your phone, you don't just look in one place; you look 'por todas partes'. This highlights the exhaustive nature of the search.

Verbs of Perception: Verbs like 'ver' (to see) and 'escuchar' (to hear) are also very common. 'Veo tu cara por todas partes.'

Había mosquitos por todas partes en el bosque.

Te he buscado por todas partes, ¿dónde estabas?

It is also important to note how 'por todas partes' interacts with pronouns. If you are using a direct object pronoun (like 'lo', 'la', 'los', 'las'), the pronoun will precede the conjugated verb, while 'por todas partes' remains at the end. For example, 'Lo busqué por todas partes' (I looked for it everywhere). The phrase itself remains invariable; you do not change 'todas' or 'partes' to match the gender or number of the object you are talking about. The phrase is a fixed idiomatic unit.

Invariability: The phrase 'por todas partes' never changes its form. It is always feminine plural, regardless of the subject or object of the sentence.

Los papeles volaron por todas partes con el viento.

En primavera, hay flores hermosas por todas partes.

When speaking, native speakers often link the words together smoothly. The 'r' in 'por' blends into the 't' of 'todas', and the 's' in 'todas' blends into the 'p' of 'partes'. Practicing this fluid pronunciation will make you sound much more natural. Furthermore, consider the emotional tone. 'Por todas partes' can express frustration (e.g., when cleaning up a mess), desperation (e.g., when searching for a lost pet), or awe (e.g., when admiring widespread natural beauty). The context and your intonation will dictate the emotional weight of the phrase. By integrating 'por todas partes' into your active vocabulary, you unlock a powerful descriptive tool that allows you to paint vivid pictures of your environment and experiences in Spanish.

The phrase 'por todas partes' is ubiquitous in the Spanish-speaking world, transcending regional dialects, social classes, and levels of formality. You will encounter it in virtually every medium of communication, from the most casual street conversations to formal literary texts, news broadcasts, and popular music. Its universal appeal lies in its fundamental utility: the need to describe something that is everywhere is a basic human communicative requirement. In everyday spoken Spanish, this phrase is a staple of domestic life. Parents use it to complain about their children's toys scattered across the living room floor. Spouses use it when frantically searching for misplaced car keys before work. Friends use it to describe a crowded festival or a city swarming with tourists. It is the language of shared, lived environments.

Everyday Contexts: Extremely common in domestic situations, complaining about messes, or describing exhaustive searches for lost items.

¡Hay ropa sucia por todas partes en tu habitación!

Beyond the home, 'por todas partes' is a frequent feature in journalism and news reporting. When covering natural disasters, reporters will describe debris or floodwaters 'por todas partes'. In political commentary, a scandal might be said to have implications 'por todas partes'. The phrase lends a sense of scale and magnitude to the reporting, emphasizing that an event is not isolated but widespread. Similarly, in travel documentaries or nature programs, narrators use it to describe the abundance of wildlife or the expansive reach of a particular landscape feature.

Media and News: Used by journalists to emphasize the scale of an event, such as destruction after a storm or the spread of a trend.

Después del terremoto, había escombros por todas partes.

La nueva moda se puede ver por todas partes en la ciudad.

In the realm of arts and entertainment, the phrase is equally prominent. Songwriters love 'por todas partes' because it fits well into rhythmic structures and conveys strong emotion. A romantic ballad might feature lyrics about seeing a lost lover's face 'por todas partes'. In literature, authors use it to build atmosphere, describing a dense fog that creeps 'por todas partes' or a sense of dread that permeates a scene. It is a highly evocative phrase that helps paint a complete sensory picture for the reader or listener.

Arts and Literature: Commonly used in poetry, song lyrics, and descriptive prose to create a pervasive atmosphere or express deep emotion.

Escucho tu voz por todas partes aunque no estés aquí.

El olor a pan recién horneado estaba por todas partes.

While the phrase is standard across all Spanish-speaking countries, it is worth noting that it exists alongside regional synonyms. In many parts of Latin America, 'por todos lados' (literally, 'by all sides') is used interchangeably with 'por todas partes'. In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 'por doquier'. However, 'por todas partes' remains the most universally understood and safely applicable option for learners. Whether you are reading a classic Spanish novel, watching a modern Netflix series from Colombia, or chatting with a shopkeeper in Madrid, 'por todas partes' is a phrase you will hear constantly, making it an essential piece of vocabulary for achieving fluency and comprehension.

While 'por todas partes' is a relatively straightforward phrase, learners of Spanish often stumble over a few common pitfalls when trying to integrate it into their speech and writing. These mistakes usually stem from direct translation from English, confusion with similar Spanish prepositions, or a misunderstanding of gender and number agreement. By identifying and analyzing these errors, learners can significantly improve their accuracy and sound more like native speakers. The most frequent mistake is the incorrect use of the preposition 'para' instead of 'por'. Because both 'por' and 'para' can sometimes translate to 'for' in English, learners often confuse their usage. However, in this specific idiom, 'para' is completely incorrect.

Por vs. Para: Never say 'para todas partes'. The phrase relies on 'por' to indicate motion through or distribution across an area. 'Para' indicates destination or purpose.

Incorrect: Busqué para todas partes. / Correct: Busqué por todas partes.

Another common error involves gender agreement. The noun 'partes' is feminine plural. Therefore, the adjective 'todas' must also be feminine plural. English speakers, who do not have to worry about gender agreement in their native language, sometimes default to the masculine 'todos', resulting in the incorrect phrase 'por todos partes'. This error immediately marks the speaker as a non-native. It is crucial to remember that 'parte' is a feminine word (la parte), even though it doesn't end in the typical '-a'.

Gender Agreement: Always use 'todas' (feminine), never 'todos' (masculine), when modifying 'partes'.

Incorrect: Hay basura por todos partes. / Correct: Hay basura por todas partes.

Incorrect: Miró por todo partes. / Correct: Miró por todas partes.

A third mistake is confusing 'por todas partes' with 'en todas partes'. While both translate to 'everywhere' in English, they have slightly different nuances in Spanish. 'En todas partes' generally implies a static location (being in all places), whereas 'por todas partes' often implies distribution, scattering, or movement through an area. While they are sometimes interchangeable, using 'en' when describing a dynamic action (like searching or scattering) sounds less natural than using 'por'. For example, 'Busqué en todas partes' is acceptable, but 'Busqué por todas partes' emphasizes the exhaustive nature of the search through the space.

En vs. Por: Use 'en' for static existence ('Dios está en todas partes'). Use 'por' for movement, distribution, or searching ('El agua se derramó por todas partes').

Static: Se puede comprar pan en todas partes.

Dynamic: Los perros corrieron por todas partes.

Finally, some learners try to translate the English word 'everywhere' literally by inventing words like 'tododonde' or 'cadalugar'. These do not exist in Spanish. You must rely on phrases like 'por todas partes', 'en todas partes', or 'por todos lados'. By being aware of these common mistakes—especially the 'por/para' distinction and the gender agreement of 'todas partes'—you can confidently use this essential phrase to describe the world around you accurately and naturally.

The Spanish language is rich in vocabulary for describing spatial relationships, and 'por todas partes' is just one of several ways to express the concept of 'everywhere'. Understanding the nuances and regional preferences of these similar words will greatly enhance your fluency and allow you to adapt your speech to different contexts and audiences. While 'por todas partes' is the most standard and universally understood phrase, exploring its synonyms provides a deeper appreciation for the flexibility of Spanish. The most common alternative is 'por todos lados'. Literally translating to 'by all sides', this phrase is virtually identical in meaning and usage to 'por todas partes'. In many Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, Argentina, and parts of Central America, 'por todos lados' is actually the preferred colloquial expression. It carries the same implication of widespread distribution or movement.

Por todos lados: A highly common synonym, especially in Latin America. It means exactly the same thing and is used in the same grammatical contexts.

Buscamos al gato por todos lados.

Another closely related phrase is 'en todas partes' (or 'en todos lados'). As discussed in the 'Common Mistakes' section, the distinction here lies in the preposition. 'En' suggests a static location—being situated in all places—while 'por' suggests movement, distribution, or a trajectory through an area. While they are often interchangeable in casual speech, careful speakers will choose 'en' for states of being and 'por' for actions. For example, 'El aire está en todas partes' (Air is everywhere) versus 'El viento sopló las hojas por todas partes' (The wind blew the leaves everywhere).

En todas partes: Used to describe a static presence in every location, rather than movement or scattering.

Esa marca de café se vende en todas partes.

Hay cámaras de seguridad en todos lados.

For more formal, literary, or poetic contexts, Spanish offers the beautiful word 'doquier' or the phrase 'por doquier'. This is a single-word equivalent to 'everywhere' and is derived from old Spanish 'donde quiera' (wherever). You will rarely hear 'por doquier' in a casual conversation at a café, but you will frequently encounter it in novels, poetry, historical texts, and formal speeches. It elevates the register of the sentence significantly.

Por doquier: A formal, literary synonym for 'everywhere'. It adds a poetic or elevated tone to the sentence.

El rey fue aclamado por doquier durante su viaje.

Había paz y prosperidad por doquier.

Finally, the word 'dondequiera' (or 'adondequiera') is related but means 'wherever' rather than 'everywhere'. While 'por todas partes' states a fact about all locations, 'dondequiera' introduces a condition or a hypothetical location (e.g., 'Dondequiera que vayas, te encontraré' - Wherever you go, I will find you). By mastering 'por todas partes' and recognizing its synonyms like 'por todos lados' and 'por doquier', you build a robust and flexible vocabulary capable of handling any descriptive task.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Informal

Slang

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

Hay libros por todas partes.

There are books everywhere.

Used with 'hay' to describe existence in many places.

Busco mi perro por todas partes.

I look for my dog everywhere.

Used with the verb 'buscar' (to look for).

El agua está por todas partes.

The water is everywhere.

Used with 'está' for temporary location.

Veo flores por todas partes.

I see flowers everywhere.

Used with 'veo' (I see).

Hay gente por todas partes.

There are people everywhere.

'Gente' is singular, but 'por todas partes' implies many locations.

Mi ropa está por todas partes.

My clothes are everywhere.

Describes a messy situation.

Miro por todas partes.

I look everywhere.

Used with 'mirar' (to look).

Hay arena por todas partes.

There is sand everywhere.

Describes a substance spread around.

Ayer busqué mis llaves por todas partes.

Yesterday I looked for my keys everywhere.

Used in the preterite tense (busqué).

Los niños corren por todas partes en el parque.

The children run everywhere in the park.

Modifies a verb of motion (corren).

Después de la fiesta, había basura por todas partes.

After the party, there was trash everywhere.

Used with the imperfect 'había' for description in the past.

El gato dejó sus pelos por todas partes.

The cat left its hair everywhere.

Used with the verb 'dejar' (to leave).

No encuentro mi teléfono, he mirado por todas partes.

I can't find my phone, I have looked everywhere.

Used with the present perfect (he mirado).

En primavera, los pájaros cantan por todas partes.

In spring, birds sing everywhere.

Describes a widespread sound.

La noticia está por todas partes en la televisión.

The news is everywhere on television.

Used to describe widespread information.

Los mosquitos me picaron por todas partes.

The mosquitoes bit me everywhere.

Used to describe a physical sensation over the whole body.

El rumor se extendió por todas partes muy rápidamente.

The rumor spread everywhere very quickly.

Used with the reflexive verb 'extenderse' (to spread).

Lo he buscado por todas partes y me rindo.

I have looked for it everywhere and I give up.

Placement of the direct object pronoun 'lo' before the verb.

Por todas partes a las que voy, encuentro gente amable.

Everywhere I go, I find kind people.

Used as part of a relative clause structure.

La tormenta causó daños por todas partes en la ciudad.

The storm caused damage everywhere in the city.

Describes the widespread result of an event.

Es un actor muy famoso, su cara está por todas partes.

He is a very famous actor, his face is everywhere.

Used to express hyperbole regarding fame or visibility.

Si no limpias ahora, habrá polvo por todas partes mañana.

If you don't clean now, there will be dust everywhere tomorrow.

Used with the future tense 'habrá'.

Me molesta que dejes tus cosas tiradas por todas partes.

It bothers me that you leave your things lying around everywhere.

Used within a subjunctive clause triggered by emotion.

El olor a café recién hecho se sentía por todas partes.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee could be felt everywhere.

Used with sensory verbs to describe a pervasive smell.

A pesar de buscar por todas partes, el documento seguía desaparecido.

Despite looking everywhere, the document remained missing.

Used after the preposition 'a pesar de' + infinitive.

La influencia de esa cultura se puede notar por todas partes.

The influence of that culture can be noticed everywhere.

Used with passive voice 'se puede notar'.

El pánico cundió y la gente empezó a correr por todas partes.

Panic spread and people started running everywhere.

Describes chaotic, multi-directional movement.

Por todas partes se veían carteles anunciando el evento.

Posters announcing the event could be seen everywhere.

Placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.

Es una canción tan pegadiza que suena por todas partes.

It's such a catchy song that it plays everywhere.

Used to describe omnipresent media.

El gobierno prometió mejoras, pero veo problemas por todas partes.

The government promised improvements, but I see problems everywhere.

Used metaphorically to describe a widespread abstract issue.

Las chispas saltaron por todas partes cuando cortó el metal.

Sparks flew everywhere when he cut the metal.

Describes explosive or scattering physical action.

Buscamos por todas partes hasta dar con la solución adecuada.

We searched everywhere until we found the right solution.

Used in an abstract sense of searching for answers.

La corrupción estaba tan arraigada que brotaba por todas partes.

Corruption was so deeply rooted that it sprouted everywhere.

Used metaphorically with the verb 'brotar' (to sprout/emerge).

Por todas partes se respiraba un ambiente de tensión contenida.

An atmosphere of contained tension could be breathed everywhere.

Used with 'se respiraba' to describe a pervasive mood.

El autor disemina pistas por todas partes a lo largo de la novela.

The author scatters clues everywhere throughout the novel.

Used with the literary verb 'diseminar' (to scatter).

Su legado es innegable; su influencia se palpa por todas partes.

His legacy is undeniable; his influence is palpable everywhere.

Used with 'se palpa' (is palpable) for abstract omnipresence.

Los fragmentos del meteorito se esparcieron por todas partes.

The fragments of the meteorite scattered everywhere.

Used with 'esparcirse' to describe widespread physical dispersion.

Por todas partes surgían voces disidentes exigiendo un cambio.

Everywhere, dissenting voices emerged demanding change.

Fronted adverbial phrase modifying 'surgían'.

El virus se propagó por todas partes antes de que pudieran contenerlo.

The virus spread everywhere before they could contain it.

Used in the context of epidemiology and rapid spread.

Mirase por donde mirase, veía la misma desolación por todas partes.

Wherever he looked, he saw the same desolation everywhere.

Used in conjunction with a subjunctive phrase of concession.

La omnipresencia de la tecnología digital es tal que permea por todas partes.

The omnipresence of digital technology is such that it permeates everywhere.

Used with the high-register verb 'permear' (to permeate).

El pesimismo se había infiltrado por todas partes, socavando la moral del equipo.

Pessimism had infiltrated everywhere, undermining the team's morale.

Used metaphorically to describe the insidious spread of an emotion.

Por todas partes pululaban oportunistas buscando sacar provecho de la tragedia.

Everywhere swarmed opportunists looking to profit from the tragedy.

Used with the evocative verb 'pulular' (to swarm/multiply).

La sinfonía era magistral; la genialidad del compositor destellaba por todas partes.

The symphony was masterful; the composer's genius flashed everywhere.

Used to describe the pervasive quality of art.

Se afanó en buscar una coartada, pero las pruebas incriminatorias afloraban por todas partes.

He strove to find an alibi, but incriminating evidence surfaced everywhere.

Used with 'aflorar' (to surface/emerge) in a legal/investigative context.

La censura era tan asfixiante que el miedo se palpaba por todas partes.

The censorship was so suffocating that fear was palpable everywhere.

Describes a systemic, oppressive atmosphere.

Por todas partes resonaban los ecos de un pasado glorioso ya extinto.

Everywhere resonated the echoes of a glorious past now extinct.

Poetic usage describing the lingering presence of history.

El tejido social se estaba deshilachando, con signos de fractura evidentes por todas partes.

The social fabric was fraying, with signs of fracture evident everywhere.

Used in complex sociopolitical analysis.

Common Collocations

buscar por todas partes

mirar por todas partes

haber por todas partes

encontrar por todas partes

ver por todas partes

estar por todas partes

esparcir por todas partes

tirado por todas partes

sangre por todas partes

basura por todas partes

Common Phrases

lo busqué por todas partes

hay gente por todas partes

agua por todas partes

por todas partes del mundo

miró por todas partes

te veo por todas partes

está por todas partes

cosas por todas partes

ropa por todas partes

problemas por todas partes

Often Confused With

por todas partes vs en todas partes

por todas partes vs para todas partes

por todas partes vs por partes

Idioms & Expressions

Easily Confused

por todas partes vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

note

While 'en todas partes' is also correct, 'por todas partes' is preferred when there is a sense of movement, spreading, or looking through a space.

Common Mistakes

Saying 'por todos partes' instead of 'por todas partes'.
Saying 'para todas partes' instead of 'por todas partes'.
Using 'en todas partes' when describing movement or scattering (por is better).
Translating 'everywhere' literally as 'todo lugar'.
Forgetting the phrase and just saying 'en todos los lugares' (which is understood but less natural).

Tips

Always Feminine

Never forget that 'parte' is feminine. It is a common trap for beginners to say 'todos partes'. Always link 'todas' with 'partes' in your mind as a single unit.

Learn the Synonym

Memorize 'por todos lados' alongside this phrase. You will hear both constantly, and knowing both makes your Spanish richer and helps with listening comprehension in different countries.

Blend the Sounds

When speaking, don't pause between the words. Say 'portodaspartes' as if it were one long word. This will make you sound much more fluent and natural.

Perfect for Searching

Whenever you talk about losing something and looking for it, this is the phrase to use. 'Buscar por todas partes' is a very strong natural collocation in Spanish.

Add Drama

Use this phrase in your writing to exaggerate. If a room is just a little messy, saying 'hay ropa por todas partes' makes your story more engaging and expressive.

Listen for 'Hay'

In spoken Spanish, you will very often hear 'hay' right before or in the same sentence as this phrase. '¡Hay [cosa] por todas partes!' is a standard complaint format.

Por vs Para

This phrase is a great reminder that 'por' is used for diffuse location and movement through space. Never substitute it with 'para'.

Universal Spanish

Don't worry about regional dialects with this phrase. Whether you are in Spain, Mexico, or Argentina, 'por todas partes' is universally understood and correct.

Visualize Scattering

To remember the 'por', visualize throwing a handful of confetti. It travels 'through' the air and lands in 'all parts'. This dynamic image helps cement the meaning.

Use with Emotion

Native speakers rarely say this phrase like a robot. It usually carries emotion—frustration, surprise, or exhaustion. Practice saying it with a sigh or an exclamation!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine pouring (POR) water over ALL (TODAS) PARTS (PARTES) of the floor. The water goes everywhere.

Word Origin

Latin

Cultural Context

Neutral. It is appropriate for both casual conversations with friends and formal written reports.

In Mexico and Argentina, 'por todos lados' is often more common in spoken street Spanish than 'por todas partes', though both are perfectly understood.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"¿Alguna vez has perdido algo y lo has buscado por todas partes sin éxito?"

"Cuando eras niño, ¿dejabas tus juguetes por todas partes?"

"¿Qué canción famosa está sonando por todas partes últimamente?"

"¿Te molesta cuando hay basura por todas partes en la calle?"

"¿Dónde hay cámaras de seguridad por todas partes en tu ciudad?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una vez que perdiste algo importante. Escribe: 'Busqué por todas partes...'

Describe tu habitación cuando está muy desordenada usando 'hay... por todas partes'.

Escribe sobre un lugar hermoso en la naturaleza donde hay vida por todas partes.

¿Qué noticia está por todas partes hoy en día? Da tu opinión.

Imagina que eres un detective. Describe la escena del crimen donde hay pistas por todas partes.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that is grammatically incorrect. The word 'parte' is a feminine noun in Spanish (la parte). Therefore, any adjective modifying it must also be feminine. You must always say 'por todas partes'.

Both mean 'everywhere'. However, 'en todas partes' usually describes a static location (being in all places). 'Por todas partes' often implies movement, distribution, scattering, or looking through an area. For example, 'busqué por todas partes' sounds more natural than 'busqué en todas partes'.

No, 'para todas partes' is not a standard phrase for 'everywhere'. The preposition 'por' is required here to indicate distribution or movement through space. 'Para' indicates a specific destination, which contradicts the idea of 'everywhere'.

Yes, 'por todos lados' is a very common synonym. It literally means 'by all sides'. In many Latin American countries, it is actually used more frequently in casual speech than 'por todas partes'. Both are perfectly acceptable.

As an adverbial phrase of place, it usually goes at the end of the sentence or clause. For example: 'Dejaste tus zapatos por todas partes'. You can put it at the beginning for emphasis: 'Por todas partes, había gente'.

No. The phrase 'por todas partes' is invariable. It describes the location (the parts/places), not the object itself. So, 'Buscamos al niño (masculine) por todas partes' is correct.

It is neutral. You can use it in a casual conversation with friends, and you can also use it in a formal essay or news report. It fits perfectly in almost any register.

The opposite of 'por todas partes' is 'en ninguna parte' or 'por ningún lado'. For example, 'No lo encuentro en ninguna parte' (I can't find it anywhere/nowhere).

Yes, absolutely. You can say 'veo problemas por todas partes' (I see problems everywhere) to describe a situation, even if the problems aren't physical objects in a physical space.

'Por doquier' is a formal, literary synonym for 'por todas partes'. It means 'everywhere'. You will see it in books and poetry, but you shouldn't use it in everyday casual conversation.