How to Use “Hace” for Expressing Time in Spanish
Introduction
Talking about past events in Spanish often involves using the word “hace.” For example, you might say, "Visité Madrid hace dos semanas." (I visited Madrid two weeks ago.) With just the word hace, you can convey when something happened—a crucial skill for natural conversations in Spanish. But hace isn’t only for the past—it also expresses how long something has been happening and more.
Many learners find hace tricky because its meaning shifts depending on context. In this article, we’ll break down its different uses with clear examples so you can confidently express time in Spanish.
What Does “Hace” Mean?
In Spanish, hace is derived from the verb hacer (to do/make). When talking about time, hace acts like “ago” or “for” in English, depending on how it’s used. It appears in expressions for both completed actions and ongoing events, making it a key term to master.
Using “Hace” to Say How Long Ago Something Happened
Use hace followed by a time expression to indicate how long ago something took place.
Structure: hace + [time period]
Examples:
Vi esa película hace tres días. (I saw that movie three days ago.)
Llegamos a España hace un mes. (We arrived in Spain a month ago.)
Common Pitfall: Avoid confusing hace with the present tense. Since it refers to completed actions, the verb should be in the past.
Using “Hace” to Describe Ongoing Actions
When describing actions that began in the past and continue into the present, hace acts like “for” or “has been” in English.
Structure: Hace + [time period] + que + [present tense verb]
Examples:
Hace dos años que vivo aquí. (I have lived here for two years.)
Hace mucho tiempo que estudio español. (I have been studying Spanish for a long time.)
Alternative Word Order: You can also place hace at the end:
Vivo aquí hace dos años. (I have lived here for two years.)
Using “Hace” in Negative Statements
When emphasizing that you haven't done something for a certain period, hace works with negative verbs.
Examples:
Hace meses que no voy al cine. (I haven’t been to the cinema in months.)
Hace tiempo que no te veo. (I haven’t seen you in a long time.)
How to Express Future Time with “Hace”
Though less common, hace can also appear in hypothetical or future-related contexts.
Examples:
Dentro de unos años, dirás que hace mucho que no nos vemos. (In a few years, you’ll say it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.)
Cuando termines el curso, habrá pasado hace meses. (When you finish the course, months will have passed.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Misplacing “Hace”: Always use hace before the time expression when referring to the past.
Using the Wrong Verb Tense: For completed actions, use the preterite; for ongoing actions, use the present tense.
Omitting “Que” in Ongoing Actions: When using hace to describe actions that continue into the present, don’t forget que—it’s essential for clarity.
Practical Tips for Mastering “Hace”
Practice with Timelines: Draw a timeline and write sentences with hace to describe events in your life.
Daily Speaking Practice: Include hace in daily conversations to reinforce your understanding.
Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with different time expressions to pair with hace.
How Polyglottist Language Academy Can Help
At Polyglottist Language Academy, we focus on practical communication skills that help you use grammar naturally. Our Spanish courses include real-life scenarios where you’ll master expressions like hace through speaking, writing, and listening exercises.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Mastering hace is essential for expressing time in Spanish. Whether describing something that happened weeks ago or explaining how long you've been doing something, hace is key to sounding fluent. By understanding its different uses and practicing regularly, you'll gain confidence in both conversations and writing.
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