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"Hace mucho tiempo" is a phrase which is often translated as "a very long time ago", and "hace tiempo" is a phrase which is often translated as "a while ago". Learn more about the difference between "hace mucho tiempo" and "hace tiempo" below.
hace mucho tiempo(
ah
-
seh
moo
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choh
tyehm
-
poh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (long ago)
a. a very long time ago
Hace mucho tiempo, esta zona estaba cubierta de bosques.A very long time ago, this area was covered in woods.
b. it's been a long time
Esta casa se construyó hace mucho tiempo y hay que hacerle reparaciones.It's been a long time since this house was built and it's in need of repair.
a. it's been a long time since
Hace mucho tiempo que no te veo.It's been a long time since I saw you.
b. for a very long time
No toco el piano desde hace mucho tiempo.I haven't played the piano for a very long time.
hace tiempo(
ah
-
seh
tyehm
-
poh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (long ago)
a. a while ago
Laura acabó la carrera hace tiempo, pero todavía no encontró trabajo.Laura finished her degree a while ago, but she hasn't got a job yet.
b. some time ago
Miguel hace tiempo que se casó. Ya tiene dos niños.Miguel got married some time ago. He's already got two children.
c. a long time ago
El país hace tiempo que se independizó.The country became independent a long time ago.
a. for some time
Hace tiempo que no la veo. ¿Se habrá ido a vivir a otro sitio?I haven't seen her for some time. Maybe she moved somewhere else.
b. for a while
Ese corte de pelo hace tiempo que no se lleva.That hairstyle hasn't been in for a while.
c. it's a long time since
Hace tiempo que queremos ir a Nueva York, pero nunca encontramos el momento oportuno.It's a long time since we've wanted to go to New York, but it's never the right moment.
