Talking about the past in Spanish. How to organize your speech correctly?
In Spanish, when talking about the past, we have different options for different things that we want to actually communicate. I’ll give you an answer to your question (plus… some extra combinations).
Let’s see how it works and when to use what…
HACE > “ago”
HACE dos años, compré este coche
Two years AGO, I bought this car
DESDE HACE > “for”
Tengo este coche DESDE HACE dos años
I have this car FOR two years
HACE + Time + QUE > “for”
This is the same as “Desde hace”:
HACE dos años QUE tengo este coche
I have this car FOR two years
POR / DURANTE > “for / during”
Here the emphasis is NOT on the Past, but on the period of time itself, “regardless” of when it has started:
Tendré este coche POR / DURANTE dos años
I will have this car FOR two years
DESDE > “since”
Tengo este coche DESDE el 2022
I have this car SINCE 2022
That being said, in case you want to push yourself beyond the correct use of HACE and DESDE HACE in Spanish, maybe finding new and powerful resources, plus the opportunity to practice your Spanish by talking in a professionally managed environment, if you want, you can take a look at our Live Conversation Classes (384 Classes available per YEAR — 1 to 6 students per class) 🙂
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Qué tengas un maravilloso día!
Claudio
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Claudio
Professional Spanish Coach with 15+ years of experience.
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