Word Structure

Question

There was aquestion what sucedio meant. The response was it is past tense of the verb to succedd. Then why in a spanish book in a sentence do they write: El accedente sucedio hace un ano. Why is the verb hace added?

"suceder" = happen - --Mariana--, JUN 14, 2010

accidente :) = accident :( - Kiwi-Girl, JUN 14, 2010

Answer 1

Hi. There is a sentence structure in Spanish which means "ago."

Hace + time = ago

"Hace dos meses fui a México."

(Two months ago I went to Mexico/I went to Mexico two months ago)

"El accidente sucedió hace un ano." (The accident happened one year ago.)

Answer 2

Muchas Gracias. Me ayudaron Ustedes mucho.

Answer 3

As Heidata pointed out, the basic/obvious translation of 'suceder' is to happen/occur. In modern English 'succeed' has the sense of 'result in a positive outcome'. At one time (some 400 years ago, 'succeed' could be/was used to mean simply 'occurred'. (The only trace that occurs to me is when we say "X succeeded Y to the throne.").

Your question about 'hace' is entirely unrelated to the verb 'suceder'. 'hace un año' could be added to almost any statement (and simply means "a year ago").

I bought a little traveling handbook along with other books to learn. I bounce back from this book and the other two I am using as text books to teach myself and this website. Just an hour ago (hacer) I happened to open the page that helps explain it. - tcretella, JUN 15, 2010

Answer 4

HI tc, the answer on that question was not correct, if you can point it out to me, I would appreciate this very much.

suceder means to happen This is what we call a false friend.

YOur sentence

The accident happened a year ago.

hace un año = one year ago