Using Spanish Time Expressions: “Desde,” “Hace,” and “Hace Que”
Introduction: Expressing Time in Spanish Like a Native
Imagine you’re chatting with a Spanish-speaking friend, and you want to say:
"I have been living here for five years."
"It has been a long time since I last saw you!"
"I started working here three months ago."
If you translate these sentences word for word from English to Spanish, you might end up with something unnatural. That’s because Spanish has specific time expressions that don’t always align with English equivalents.
Two of the most common structures for talking about past and ongoing actions are "desde," "hace," and "hace que."These expressions help clarify whether something started in the past and continues, happened at a specific moment in the past, or occurred a certain amount of time ago.
In this guide, we’ll break down the rules, differences, and practical examples of these essential Spanish time expressions. By the end, you’ll be able to express time naturally and fluently!
1. "Desde" – Talking About When Something Started
The word "desde" means "since" and is used when referring to a starting point in time. It tells us that an action began in the past and continues in the present.
Structure:
Desde + specific point in time (year, month, day, or event)
Examples:
SpanishEnglishVivo aquí desde 2010.I have lived here since 2010.No te veo desde el lunes.I haven’t seen you since Monday.Trabaja en la empresa desde el año pasado.He has been working at the company since last year.
Common Mistakes with "Desde"
❌ Vivo aquí desde cinco años. (Incorrect)
✅ Vivo aquí desde hace cinco años. (Correct – see "Hace Que")
Key Takeaway: Use "desde" with a specific point in time (not a duration!).
2. "Hace" – Expressing How Long Ago Something Happened
The word "hace" means "ago" and is used when referring to an action that happened at a specific moment in the past.
Structure:
Hace + amount of time + past tense verb
Examples:
SpanishEnglishMe mudé aquí hace cinco años.I moved here five years ago.Terminó la carrera hace dos meses.He finished college two months ago.Vi esa película hace una semana.I saw that movie a week ago.
Common Mistakes with "Hace"
❌ Hace cinco años vivo aquí. (Incorrect)
✅ Vivo aquí desde hace cinco años. (Correct – see "Hace Que")
Key Takeaway: Use "hace" with past actions that no longer continue.
3. "Hace Que" – Talking About Actions That Started in the Past and Continue
The phrase "hace que" is used to express how long something has been happening, emphasizing an action that started in the past and is still ongoing.
Structure:
Hace + amount of time + que + present tense verb
Examples:
Spanish English
Hace cinco años que vivo aquí. I have been living here for five years.
Hace tres meses que trabajo aquí. I have been working here for three months.
Hace una hora que espero. I have been waiting for an hour.
Alternative Structure:
You can also put "Hace que" at the end:
Vivo aquí hace cinco años. (I have been living here for five years.)
Trabajo aquí hace tres meses. (I have been working here for three months.)
Common Mistakes with "Hace Que"
❌ Hace cinco años vivo aquí. (Incorrect)
✅ Hace cinco años que vivo aquí. (Correct!)
Key Takeaway: Use "Hace que" to express ongoing actions that started in the past.
4. Comparing "Desde," "Hace," and "Hace Que"
Expression. Usage Example
Desde "Since" + specific point in time Vivo aquí desde 2010. (I have lived here since 2010.)
Hace "Ago" + completed action Me mudé aquí hace cinco años. (I moved here five years ago.)
Hace que "For" + ongoing action Hace cinco años que vivo aquí. (I have been living here for five years.)
5. Practice: Choose the Correct Time Expression
Fill in the blanks with desde, hace, or hace que:
__________ dos años que estudio español.
Vivo en Madrid __________ el año pasado.
Nos vimos __________ tres semanas.
Trabajo en esta empresa __________ seis meses.
__________ cuánto tiempo vives aquí?
(Answers: 1. Hace, 2. Desde, 3. Hace, 4. Hace que, 5. Desde)
Conclusion: Mastering Spanish Time Expressions
Understanding the difference between "desde," "hace," and "hace que" is essential for expressing time accurately in Spanish. To summarize:
✅ Use "desde" with a specific point in time ("since 2010").
✅ Use "hace" with past actions that no longer continue ("five years ago").
✅ Use "hace que" for ongoing actions ("I have been living here for five years").
By practicing these structures, you’ll sound more natural in Spanish conversations and avoid common mistakes.
What’s Next? Join a Spanish Class Near You!
Whether you’re in Berkeley, San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose, our Spanish classes offer small groups, engaging teachers, and flexible scheduling—including evenings.
✅ Learn to read Spanish in 1 hour
✅ Speak with confidence
✅ Understand real conversations
🔗 Start Learning Spanish Today
More Language Learning Tips from Our Blog
Check out these blog articles for even more tools and insights:
✔ Mastering Spanish Commands: Formal And Informal Imperatives
✔ Understanding Spanish Conditional Tenses: Simple And Perfect
✔ Loanwords In Spanish: How Other Languages Have Influenced Spanish Vocabulary
About Polyglottist Language Academy
This article was written by the team at Polyglottist Language Academy (PLA)—a Bay Area-based language school focused on immersive, adult-centered Spanish instruction. Our mission is to help students thrive through structured teaching, real-world vocabulary, and cultural insight.
Whether you’re preparing for travel, heritage learning, or personal growth, we’ll help you build confidence from your first class.
📌 Visit Our Website for more info and class registration.