Mastering ‘Hacer’ for Time Expressions in Spanish
Understanding how to use the verb hacer (to do, to make) to express time in Spanish is crucial for fluency. While hacer has many uses, its application in time expressions follows specific rules that can be challenging for English speakers. This article provides a comprehensive guide to using hacer in time expressions, covering definitions, structures, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this resource will help you confidently and accurately express duration and time elapsed in Spanish.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of ‘Hacer’ in Time Expressions
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Time Expressions with ‘Hacer’
- Examples of ‘Hacer’ in Time Expressions
- Usage Rules for ‘Hacer’ in Time Expressions
- Common Mistakes When Using ‘Hacer’
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Introduction
The Spanish verb hacer is incredibly versatile, serving many functions from creating objects to describing the weather. One particularly important use of hacer is in expressing time. This involves indicating how long ago something occurred or how long an action has been in progress. Mastering this usage is essential for conveying temporal relationships accurately and naturally in Spanish. Without a solid understanding of how hacer functions in these contexts, learners may struggle to express themselves clearly and precisely when discussing past events and durations.
This article is designed to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and using hacer in time expressions. We’ll break down the specific grammar rules, provide numerous examples, and offer practical exercises to solidify your understanding. This guide is perfect for students of all levels who want to improve their fluency and accuracy in Spanish. By the end of this article, you will be able to confidently use hacer to express time, enhancing your overall communication skills in Spanish.
Definition of ‘Hacer’ in Time Expressions
When used to express time, the verb hacer indicates a duration that has passed since an event occurred or the length of time an action has been ongoing. In this context, hacer typically translates to “ago” or “for” in English, but the grammatical structure is quite different. It’s crucial to understand that hacer is used to describe a completed period of time, looking back from the present moment. This contrasts with other verbs like llevar, which can also express duration but often emphasizes an ongoing action.
Specifically, when hacer is used with time expressions, it is often part of the impersonal construction “hace + time period + que + verb in the preterite” or “hace + time period + que + subject + verb in the preterite“. This construction signifies that an event occurred a certain amount of time ago. Another common structure is “hace + time period + que + verb in the present” to indicate how long an action has been happening. The key is that hacer itself is often conjugated in the third-person singular form (hace), regardless of the subject involved in the action. This impersonal use is a hallmark of its function in time expressions.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of sentences using hacer to express time generally follows a specific pattern. Understanding this pattern is key to correctly formulating these sentences.
Basic Structure: Hacer + Time Expression + Que + Verb
The most common structure involves hacer followed by a time expression (e.g., dos días, un año), the word que, and then a verb conjugated in the appropriate tense. The tense of the verb depends on whether you’re indicating how long ago something happened or how long something has been happening.
- Past Event: Hace + Time Expression + Que + Verb in the Preterite (or other past tense)
- Ongoing Action: Hace + Time Expression + Que + Verb in the Present
For example, to say “I saw him two days ago,” the structure would be: Hace dos días que lo vi. Here, hace is followed by the time expression dos días, then que, and finally the verb vi (saw) in the preterite tense.
Impersonal Use of Hacer
It’s important to note that hacer is often used impersonally in these constructions. This means it’s conjugated in the third-person singular form (hace), regardless of the subject. The subject of the sentence is typically introduced after the que. This impersonal construction is a key characteristic of using hacer to express time.
For instance, in the sentence “It has been three years since I lived in Spain,” the structure is: Hace tres años que vivo en España. Note that even though the subject is “I” (yo, implied by the verb vivo), hacer remains in the third-person singular form (hace).
Variations in Word Order
While the basic structure is generally followed, there can be slight variations in word order, especially when including pronouns. The placement of pronouns can sometimes shift the emphasis of the sentence.
For example, instead of saying Hace dos años que lo conozco (I have known him for two years), you might say Lo conozco hace dos años. While the first sentence is more common, the second is also grammatically correct and used frequently. The key is to ensure that all the elements are present and correctly conjugated.
Types and Categories of Time Expressions with ‘Hacer’
Time expressions with hacer can be categorized based on the tense of the verb used after the que. The tense dictates whether you’re talking about a past event or an ongoing action.
Past Events
When referring to events that occurred in the past, the verb after que is typically conjugated in the preterite tense (or another past tense, depending on the context). This indicates that the action is completed and occurred a specific amount of time ago.
Structure: Hace + Time Expression + Que + Verb in the Preterite
Example: Hace un mes que fui al cine (I went to the cinema a month ago).
Ongoing Actions
When referring to actions that started in the past and are still ongoing, the verb after que is typically conjugated in the present tense. This indicates that the action began a certain amount of time ago and is still continuing.
Structure: Hace + Time Expression + Que + Verb in the Present
Example: Hace dos años que vivo aquí (I have been living here for two years).
Using Different Time Units
The time expression used with hacer can vary widely, including seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, and even more abstract periods of time. The choice of time unit depends on the context and the duration you want to express.
- Seconds/Minutes: Hace unos segundos/minutos que llegué (I arrived a few seconds/minutes ago).
- Hours: Hace una hora que estoy esperando (I have been waiting for an hour).
- Days: Hace tres días que no como carne (I haven’t eaten meat for three days).
- Weeks: Hace dos semanas que empecé a estudiar español (I started studying Spanish two weeks ago).
- Months: Hace seis meses que nos conocimos (We met six months ago).
- Years: Hace diez años que me gradué (I graduated ten years ago).
Examples of ‘Hacer’ in Time Expressions
The following tables provide extensive examples of how to use hacer in time expressions, categorized by tense and time unit. These examples will help you understand the different ways to structure sentences and express duration accurately.
Examples with Past Events (Preterite Tense)
The table below illustrates the use of hacer to describe events that happened in the past, using the preterite tense.
| Spanish Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Hace cinco minutos que salió. | He left five minutes ago. |
| Hace un día que la vi. | I saw her a day ago. |
| Hace dos semanas que viajamos a México. | We traveled to Mexico two weeks ago. |
| Hace un mes que compré este libro. | I bought this book a month ago. |
| Hace tres años que me mudé aquí. | I moved here three years ago. |
| Hace diez años que terminé la universidad. | I finished university ten years ago. |
| Hace mucho tiempo que no te veía. | I haven’t seen you in a long time. |
| Hace poco que llegué. | I arrived recently. |
| Hace una hora que empezó la película. | The movie started an hour ago. |
| Hace quince días que me rompí la pierna. | I broke my leg two weeks ago. |
| Hace un siglo que construyeron este edificio. | They built this building a century ago. |
| Hace unos momentos que sonó el teléfono. | The phone rang a few moments ago. |
| Hace dos años que mi abuelo falleció. | My grandfather passed away two years ago. |
| Hace una semana que llovió por última vez. | It last rained a week ago. |
| Hace tres meses que visité a mis padres. | I visited my parents three months ago. |
| Hace cinco días que no fui al gimnasio. | I haven’t been to the gym for five days. |
| Hace siete años que me casé. | I got married seven years ago. |
| Hace un año que compré mi coche. | I bought my car a year ago. |
| Hace cuatro meses que empecé a trabajar aquí. | I started working here four months ago. |
| Hace seis semanas que no he tenido noticias de él. | I haven’t heard from him in six weeks. |
| Hace mucho tiempo que no comíamos juntos. | It’s been a long time since we ate together. |
| Hace poco que me enteré de la noticia. | I found out about the news recently. |
| Hace una década que dejé mi país. | I left my country a decade ago. |
| Hace dos veranos que estuve en Italia. | I was in Italy two summers ago. |
| Hace tres días que terminé el libro. | I finished the book three days ago. |
| Hace cinco minutos que te llamé. | I called you five minutes ago. |
| Hace un instante que vi a Juan. | I saw Juan just a moment ago. |
Examples with Ongoing Actions (Present Tense)
The following table shows examples of using hacer to express actions that started in the past and are still ongoing, using the present tense.
| Spanish Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Hace cinco minutos que estoy aquí. | I have been here for five minutes. |
| Hace un día que no duermo bien. | I haven’t slept well for a day. |
| Hace dos semanas que estudio español. | I have been studying Spanish for two weeks. |
| Hace un mes que trabajo en esta empresa. | I have been working at this company for a month. |
| Hace tres años que vivo en Madrid. | I have been living in Madrid for three years. |
| Hace diez años que conozco a María. | I have known Maria for ten years. |
| Hace mucho tiempo que no voy al cine. | I haven’t been to the cinema in a long time. |
| Hace poco que tengo este coche. | I have had this car for a short time. |
| Hace una hora que espero el autobús. | I have been waiting for the bus for an hour. |
| Hace quince días que me siento mal. | I have been feeling unwell for two weeks. |
| Hace un siglo que existe esta tradición. | This tradition has existed for a century. |
| Hace unos momentos que te estoy llamando. | I have been calling you for a few moments. |
| Hace dos años que estoy aprendiendo a tocar la guitarra. | I have been learning to play the guitar for two years. |
| Hace una semana que sigo una dieta. | I have been on a diet for a week. |
| Hace tres meses que estoy buscando trabajo. | I have been looking for a job for three months. |
| Hace cinco días que no veo la televisión. | I haven’t watched television for five days. |
| Hace siete años que estoy casado. | I have been married for seven years. |
| Hace un año que tengo este perro. | I have had this dog for a year. |
| Hace cuatro meses que estudio francés. | I have been studying French for four months. |
| Hace seis semanas que estoy haciendo ejercicio. | I have been exercising for six weeks. |
| Hace mucho tiempo que no hablamos. | We haven’t spoken for a long time. |
| Hace poco que me mudé a esta ciudad. | I have recently moved to this city. |
| Hace una década que trabajo en este campo. | I have been working in this field for a decade. |
| Hace dos veranos que paso mis vacaciones aquí. | I have been spending my vacations here for two summers. |
| Hace tres días que leo este libro. | I have been reading this book for three days. |
| Hace cinco minutos que te espero. | I have been waiting for you for five minutes. |
| Hace un instante que estoy pensando en eso. | I have been thinking about that for just a moment. |
Examples with Different Time Units
This table showcases the versatility of hacer by using various time units to express duration.
| Spanish Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Hace segundos que sonó la alarma. | The alarm rang seconds ago. |
| Hace minutos que llegó el correo. | The mail arrived minutes ago. |
| Hace horas que está lloviendo. | It has been raining for hours. |
| Hace días que no veo el sol. | I haven’t seen the sun for days. |
| Hace semanas que planeamos este viaje. | We have been planning this trip for weeks. |
| Hace meses que no vamos de vacaciones. | We haven’t been on vacation for months. |
| Hace años que estudio música. | I have been studying music for years. |
| Hace décadas que esta empresa existe. | This company has existed for decades. |
| Hace siglos que se construyó esta catedral. | This cathedral was built centuries ago. |
| Hace milenios que existen las pirámides. | The pyramids have existed for millennia. |
| Hace unas semanas que la conocí. | I met her a few weeks ago. |
| Hace un rato que estoy esperando. | I have been waiting for a while. |
| Hace un momento que te llamé. | I called you a moment ago. |
| Hace poco que llegué a casa. | I arrived home recently. |
| Hace un instante que terminé de cocinar. | I just finished cooking a moment ago. |
| Hace siglos que no escribes una carta. | You haven’t written a letter in centuries. |
| Hace siglos que se inventó la imprenta. | The printing press was invented centuries ago. |
| Hace milenios que los humanos cultivan la tierra. | Humans have been cultivating the land for millennia. |
| Hace un buen rato que te busco. | I’ve been looking for you for quite a while. |
| Hace años luz que no veo una estrella fugaz. | It’s been light years since I saw a shooting star. |
| Hace eones que no experimento algo nuevo. | It’s been eons since I experienced something new. |
| Hace lustros que no voy a la playa. | It’s been lustrums (five-year periods) since I went to the beach. |
| Hace décadas que se prohibió ese producto. | That product was banned decades ago. |
| Hace eras que no me siento tan bien. | It’s been ages since I felt so good. |
| Hace primaveras que no florece este árbol. | It’s been several springs since this tree bloomed. |
| Hace otoños que no visito mi pueblo natal. | It’s been several autumns since I visited my hometown. |
Usage Rules for ‘Hacer’ in Time Expressions
Using hacer correctly in time expressions requires adhering to specific rules. Here’s a breakdown of the key rules and considerations:
Rule 1: Impersonal Use
As mentioned earlier, hacer is typically used impersonally in time expressions. This means it’s conjugated in the third-person singular form (hace), regardless of the subject of the sentence. This is a fundamental rule and a common point of confusion for learners.
Correct: Hace dos años que vivo aquí. (I have been living here for two years.)
Incorrect: Hago dos años que vivo aquí.
Rule 2: Correct Tense After Que
The tense of the verb following que is crucial. Use the preterite (or another appropriate past tense) for completed actions and the present tense for ongoing actions.
Completed Action: Hace un mes que fui al médico. (I went to the doctor a month ago.)
Ongoing Action: Hace un mes que voy al médico. (I have been going to the doctor for a month.)
Rule 3: Placement of Pronouns
When using pronouns, their placement can subtly alter the emphasis of the sentence. While both options are often correct, the more common structure places the pronoun before the verb.
Common: Hace dos años que lo conozco. (I have known him for two years.)
Also Correct: Lo conozco hace dos años.
Rule 4: Using Mucho Tiempo and Poco Tiempo
When using mucho tiempo (a long time) or poco tiempo (a short time), the same rules apply.
Example: Hace mucho tiempo que no te veo. (I haven’t seen you in a long time.)
Example: Hace poco tiempo que llegué. (I arrived recently.)
Rule 5: Avoid Mixing with Tener
A common mistake is to confuse hacer with tener (to have). While tener can express age, it’s not used in the same way as hacer to express duration.
Incorrect: Tengo dos años que vivo aquí.
Correct: Hace dos años que vivo aquí.
Common Mistakes When Using ‘Hacer’
Several common mistakes can trip up learners when using hacer to express time. Recognizing and avoiding these errors will significantly improve your accuracy.
Mistake 1: Incorrect Conjugation of Hacer
The most frequent error is conjugating hacer incorrectly. Remember, it’s almost always used impersonally as hace.
Incorrect: Hago tres años que estudio español.
Correct: Hace tres años que estudio español.
Mistake 2: Wrong Tense After Que
Using the wrong tense after que can completely change the meaning of the sentence.
Incorrect: Hace un mes que voy al cine. (Intended meaning: I went to the cinema a month ago)
Correct: Hace un mes que fui al cine. (I went to the cinema a month ago)
Correct: Hace un mes que voy al gimnasio. (I have been going to the gym for a month)
Mistake 3: Confusing with Llevar
Llevar can also express duration but emphasizes an ongoing action. The subtle difference can be tricky.
Hacer: Hace cinco años que vivo aquí. (I have been living here for five years – emphasizes the duration that has passed)
Llevar: Llevo cinco años viviendo aquí. (I have been living here for five years – emphasizes the ongoing act of living here)
While both are often interchangeable, llevar has a stronger sense of continuous action.
Mistake 4: Literal Translation from English
Trying to directly translate “ago” or “for” from English often leads to errors.
Incorrect: Tengo estudiando español por tres años. (Literal translation of “I have been studying Spanish for three years”)
Correct: Hace tres años que estudio español.
Mistake 5: Omitting Que
Forgetting to include que after the time expression is a common oversight.
Incorrect: Hace dos años vivo aquí.
Correct: Hace dos años que vivo aquí.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of hacer in time expressions with these practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of the grammar. Answers are provided at the end of each exercise.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences using the correct form of hacer and the appropriate tense of the verb.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. _______ dos días que no _______ (comer) nada. | Hace dos días que no como nada. |
| 2. _______ un año que _______ (conocer) a mi novio. | Hace un año que conozco a mi novio. |
| 3. _______ mucho tiempo que no _______ (ver) a mis padres. | Hace mucho tiempo que no veo a mis padres. |
| 4. _______ cinco minutos que _______ (llegar). | Hace cinco minutos que llegué. |
| 5. _______ tres semanas que _______ (empezar) el curso. | Hace tres semanas que empezó el curso. |
| 6. _______ poco tiempo que _______ (vivir) en esta ciudad. | Hace poco tiempo que vivo en esta ciudad. |
| 7. _______ una hora que _______ (esperar) el autobús. | Hace una hora que espero el autobús. |
| 8. _______ diez años que _______ (graduarse) de la universidad. | Hace diez años que me gradué de la universidad. |
| 9. _______ un mes que _______ (comprar) este coche. | Hace un mes que compré este coche. |
| 10. _______ dos meses que _______ (estudiar) francés. | Hace dos meses que estudio francés. |
Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences
Translate the following English sentences into Spanish using hacer.
| English Sentence | Spanish Translation |
|---|---|
| 1. I have been waiting for you for an hour. | Hace una hora que te espero. |
| 2. I went to Spain two years ago. | Hace dos años que fui a España. |
| 3. We have known each other for five years. | Hace cinco años que nos conocemos. |
| 4. I haven’t eaten meat for a week. | Hace una semana que no como carne. |
| 5. She arrived five minutes ago. | Hace cinco minutos que llegó. |
| 6. I have been working here for six months. | Hace seis meses que trabajo aquí. |
| 7. He left ten minutes ago. | Hace diez minutos que salió. |
| 8. I haven’t seen him in a long time. | Hace mucho tiempo que no lo veo. |
| 9. They bought the house a year ago. | Hace un año que compraron la casa. |
| 10. I have been studying English for three years. | Hace tres años que estudio inglés. |
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. Hago dos años que vivo aquí. | Hace dos años que vivo aquí. |
| 2. Hace un mes que voy al cine ayer. | Hace un mes que fui al cine. |
| 3. Tengo tres años que estudio inglés. | Hace tres años que estudio inglés. |
| 4. Hace mucho tiempo no te veo. | Hace mucho tiempo que no te veo. |
| 5. Hace cinco minutos llegué. | Hace cinco minutos que llegué. |
| 6. Hacemos dos semanas que empezamos el curso. | Hace dos semanas que empezamos el curso. |
| 7. Hace un año que le conozco a Maria. | Hace un año que conozco a Maria. |
| 8. Tengo esperando por una hora. | Hace una hora que espero. |
| 9. Hace un mes vi a mi hermano. | Hace un mes que vi a mi hermano. |
| 10. Hago tres meses estudio español. | Hace tres meses que estudio español. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, there are a few more nuanced aspects of using hacer in time expressions to consider.
Using Desde Hace
The phrase desde hace (since) can be used to emphasize the starting point of an action that is still ongoing. It provides a more specific starting point than simply using hace.
Example: Vivo aquí desde hace cinco años. (I have been living here since five years ago.)
Equivalent: Hace cinco años que vivo aquí.
Combining with Other Time Expressions
Hacer can be combined with other time expressions to provide more detailed information about the duration of an event. For example, you can use it with specific dates or times.
Example: Hace exactamente dos meses que empecé este proyecto. (It has been exactly two months since I started this project.)
Example: Hace tres días, a las cinco de la tarde, que terminé el trabajo. (It was three days ago, at five in the afternoon, that I finished the work.)
Using Hacer in Questions
You can also use hacer in questions to ask about the duration of an event. The structure is similar to that of statements, but with the addition of an interrogative pronoun.
Example: ¿Cuánto tiempo hace que estudias español? (How long have you been studying Spanish?)
Example: ¿Cuánto hace que llegaste? (How long ago did you arrive?)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about using hacer in time expressions:
- Q: Why is hacer always conjugated as hace in these expressions?
A: Hacer is used impersonally in these constructions, meaning it doesn’t refer to a specific subject. The focus is on the duration itself, rather than the person performing the action. Therefore, it remains in the third-person singular form (hace) regardless of the subject of the sentence.
- Q: What’s the difference between using hacer and llevar to express duration?
A: While both can express duration, hacer typically emphasizes the amount of time that has passed since an event occurred or began. Llevar, on the other hand, emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action. In many cases, they are interchangeable, but the subtle nuance can affect the overall feel of the sentence.
- Q: Can I use other tenses besides the preterite and present after que?
A: Yes, you can use other tenses depending on the context. For example, you might use the imperfect tense to describe a past habit or ongoing action in the past. The key is to choose the tense that accurately reflects the temporal relationship you want to convey.
- Q: Is it always necessary to include
que in these expressions?
A: Yes, the inclusion of que is generally necessary in the standard construction. Omitting it can lead to grammatically incorrect sentences. Think of que as the glue that connects the time expression with the action being described.
- Q: How do I express “for the first time” in relation to a time duration?
A: You can use “Es la primera vez que… hace + tiempo“. For example: “Es la primera vez que visito España hace diez años” (It’s the first time I’ve visited Spain in ten years.)
Conclusion
Mastering the use of hacer in time expressions is a significant step towards fluency in Spanish. By understanding the structural rules, recognizing common mistakes, and practicing regularly, you can confidently and accurately express duration and time elapsed. Remember the key principles: the impersonal use of hace, the correct tense after que, and the importance of including all necessary elements. With consistent effort and attention to detail, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this essential aspect of Spanish grammar. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different time expressions to expand your vocabulary and improve your overall communication skills.