When learning a new language, understanding how to express time is essential for effective communication. In Spanish, prepositions of time play a crucial role in indicating when an action takes place. These prepositions, also known as “preposiciones de tiempo,” provide information about specific points in time, durations, and frequency. In this guide, we will explore the main prepositions of time in Spanish and provide example sentences to help beginners grasp their usage.
“En” – In, On, At
The preposition “en” is one of the most commonly used prepositions of time in Spanish. It is versatile and can be translated as “in,” “on,” or “at,” depending on the context. Here are some examples:
“Voy a la playa en verano.” (I go to the beach in the summer.)
“El concierto es en julio.” (The concert is in July.)
“Nos vemos en una hora.” (We’ll see each other in an hour.)
“A las” – At (specific time)
The preposition “a las” is used to indicate a specific time. It is often followed by the hour when expressing a particular time of day. Here are a few examples:
“La reunión comienza a las nueve.” (The meeting starts at nine o’clock.)
“Salimos de casa a las siete de la mañana.” (We leave the house at seven in the morning.)
“Desde” – From (specific time)
The preposition “desde” is used to express the starting point of a period or action. It is commonly followed by a specific time or date. Here are some examples:
“Trabajo desde las ocho hasta las cinco.” (I work from eight until five.)
“Desde el lunes hasta el viernes, tengo clases de español.” (From Monday to Friday, I have Spanish classes.)
“Hasta” – Until, Up to
The preposition “hasta” is used to indicate the end point of a period or action. It is often followed by a specific time or date. Here are a few examples:
“La tienda está abierta hasta las diez de la noche.” (The store is open until ten o’clock at night.)
“El plazo para entregar el trabajo es hasta el viernes.” (The deadline to submit the assignment is until Friday.)
“Durante” – During
The preposition “durante” is used to express the duration of an action or event. It is typically followed by a specific period of time. Here are some examples:
“Estudiamos durante dos horas.” (We study for two hours.)
“Durante el verano, viajaré por Europa.” (During the summer, I will travel around Europe.)
“Por” – For, Throughout
The preposition “por” is used to indicate the duration of an action or event. It can be translated as “for” or “throughout.” Here are a few examples:
“Viví en Madrid por cinco años.” (I lived in Madrid for five years.)
“Viajamos por todo el país.” (We traveled throughout the country.)
“Desde hace” – For (duration)
The expression “desde hace” is used to indicate the duration of an ongoing action or event. It is followed by a period of time. Here are some examples:
“Estudio español desde hace dos años.” (I have been studying Spanish for two years.)
“Vivo en esta ciudad desde hace tres meses.” (I have been living in this city for three months.)
“Cada” – Every
The preposition “cada” is used to express frequency or repetition. It is often followed by a specific unit of time. Here are a few examples:
“Voy al gimnasio cada día.” (I go to the gym every day.)
“Tengo una reunión cada semana.” (I have a meeting every week.)
Conclusion
Understanding Spanish prepositions of time is vital for effectively communicating when an action occurs or the duration of an event. The prepositions mentioned in this guide provide a foundation for beginners to express time-related information. Remember to practice using these prepositions in various contexts to solidify your understanding. With time and practice, you will become more comfortable using Spanish prepositions of time and expand your ability to communicate effectively in the language.
Originally posted 2023-07-14 17:58:46.