vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"I went to school" is a phrase which is often translated as "fui a la escuela", and "yesterday" is an adverb which is often translated as "ayer". Learn more about the difference between "I went to school" and "yesterday" below.
I went to school(
ay
 
wehnt
 
tuh
 
skul
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. fui a la escuela
First I packed my lunch, and then I went to school.Primero preparé mi almuerzo, y entonces fui a la escuela.
b. fui al colegio
I went to school in my costume the day of the play.El día de la obra teatral fui al colegio con mi disfraz.
a. fui a la universidad
I went to school for two years, but I had to drop out because I didn't have time.Fui a la universidad dos años, pero tuve que dejar por falta de tiempo.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
yesterday(
yehs
-
tuhr
-
dey
)
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. ayer
Yesterday we went to the movies.Ayer fuimos al cine.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. ayer
We began our yoga lessons yesterday morning.Ayer por la mañana empezamos las clases de yoga.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. el ayer
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Yesterday was a really productive day.Ayer fue un día realmente productivo.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.