Expressions of Time in Spanish
Time Expressions Using Hacer
The Spanish verb hacertypically translates as to do or to make, but it takes on a different meaning when used to talk about the passage of time. The third-person present tense conjugation hacetranslates as ago or for, depending on which time expressions with hacer you are using.
Here is a brief review of the most common ways we use the verb hacer in expressions of time.
To talk about actions that occurred a specific amount of time ago, use one of the following formulas:
Formula One
hace + time + que + verb in the preterite
Formula Two
verb in the preterite + hace + time
Let’s take a look at some examples!
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To talk about how long someone has been doing something, use one of the following:
Formula One
hace + time + que + verb in the present
Formula Two
verb in the present + desde + hace + time
Take a look at some examples using these formulas.
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Use one of the following formulas to talk about actions that started in the past and continue until another moment in the past.
Formula One
hacía + time + que + verb in the imperfect
Formula Two
verb in the imperfect + hacía + time
Formula Three
verb in the imperfect + desde + hacía + time
Check out these examples!
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Desde
As previously mentioned, desde can be used with hace to talk about an action that started in the past and is still taking place today. It can also be used in the following formula to indicate the specific point in the past when the action that is still going on started.
verb in the present + desde + specific moment in time
For example:
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Time Expressions Using Llevar
Llevaris used as an alternative to hacer when talking about how long someone has been doing something. Use the following formula:
llevar in the present tense + time + present participle
Llevar is also used in expressions of time to say that someone has not done something for a specific amount of time. In that case, use the following formula:
llevar in the present tense + time + sin + infinitive
Here are some examples!
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Por
We can use the time expression porwith verbs in all tenses to express the duration of an activity.
For example:
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Click here to learn the differences between por and para!
Adverbial Expressions of Time
We use adverbial expressions of time to describe when an action happens (present), happened (past), or will happen (future).
Spanish speakers use expressions of time either at the beginning or the end of the sentence. This doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence, but it can change the emphasis. If you want to emphasize the time expression, place it at the beginning. If the time expression is not that important, place it at the end of the sentence.
Present Time Expressions
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ahora | now |
| en este momento | at this moment/right now |
| esta semana | this week |
| este año | this year |
| este mes | this month |
| hoy | today |
| hoy en día | nowadays/these days |
Check out these examples!
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Past Time Expressions
Let’s take a look at some examples!
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Future Time Expressions
Let’s take a look at some examples!
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When translating the word time into Spanish, should you use tiempo, vez, hora, or rato?
Click here to find out!
If you're going to talk about time, you need to know your numbers. Check out the following articles to review numbers, and number-related concepts, in Spanish!
