Mastering prepositions in any language can be a challenging task, and Spanish is no exception. Among the different types of prepositions, prepositions of time are crucial as they help us articulate when events occur, thus providing clarity and context to our conversations. In Spanish, there are several prepositions of time that you need to become familiar with. This guide will delve into the most common ones, their usage, and examples to help you understand and use them effectively.
Understanding Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time in Spanish are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence, providing details about when something happens. Just like in English, they are indispensable for fluent communication.
Key Prepositions of Time in Spanish
Below are the main prepositions of time that you will encounter in Spanish:
a – at, on, in
desde – since, from
hasta – until, till
de – of, from
en – in, on, at
durante – during
después de – after
antes de – before
tras – after, behind
Let’s explore each of these prepositions in greater detail.
A
The preposition a is quite versatile in Spanish, particularly in indicating specific times. It is often translated as “at” in English.
1. Specific Times:
– La fiesta empieza a las ocho. (The party starts at eight.)
– Nos vemos a las tres. (We see each other at three.)
2. Days of the week (when referring to a specific day):
– Vamos a la playa el sábado. (We go to the beach on Saturday.)
However, it’s important to note that when referring to days of the week, the article “el” is often used instead of “a”.
Desde
The preposition desde translates to “since” or “from” in English and is used to indicate the starting point of an action or event.
1. Starting Point in Time:
– Vivo aquí desde 2010. (I have lived here since 2010.)
– Desde el lunes, no he visto a Juan. (Since Monday, I haven’t seen Juan.)
2. Duration (when combined with “hasta”):
– Estaré aquí desde las cinco hasta las ocho. (I will be here from five until eight.)
Hasta
The preposition hasta is used to indicate the end point of an action or event. It is often translated as “until” or “till”.
1. End Point in Time:
– Trabajé hasta las seis. (I worked until six.)
– Estaré aquí hasta el viernes. (I will be here until Friday.)
2. Combined with “desde”:
– La reunión es desde las nueve hasta las once. (The meeting is from nine until eleven.)
De
The preposition de can be a bit tricky as it has multiple uses, but when it comes to time, it is often used to mean “of” or “from”.
1. Parts of the Day:
– Trabajo de día. (I work during the day.)
– Estudiamos de noche. (We study at night.)
2. Time Ranges:
– La tienda está abierta de 9 a 5. (The store is open from 9 to 5.)
En
The preposition en is another versatile preposition that can mean “in,” “on,” or “at” depending on the context.
1. Months, Years, and Seasons:
– Nos vamos de vacaciones en julio. (We go on vacation in July.)
– Empezó a trabajar en 1999. (He started working in 1999.)
2. Specific Time Phrases:
– Nos vemos en una hora. (See you in an hour.)
– El tren llega en unos minutos. (The train arrives in a few minutes.)
Durante
The preposition durante translates to “during” in English and is used to express the duration of an event or action.
1. Duration of Time:
– Estudié mucho durante el fin de semana. (I studied a lot during the weekend.)
– Llovió mucho durante la noche. (It rained a lot during the night.)
Después de
The phrase después de means “after” and is used to indicate that one event occurs following another.
1. Following an Event:
– Vamos a cenar después de la película. (We are going to have dinner after the movie.)
– Después de trabajar, me relajo. (After working, I relax.)
Antes de
The phrase antes de translates to “before” and is used to indicate that one event occurs prior to another.
1. Prior to an Event:
– Debo terminar esto antes de irme. (I must finish this before leaving.)
– Antes de la cena, vamos a pasear. (Before dinner, we are going for a walk.)
Tras
The preposition tras is less common but still used in formal contexts to mean “after” or “behind.”
1. Following an Event:
– Tras la tormenta, salió el sol. (After the storm, the sun came out.)
– Se recuperó tras la operación. (He recovered after the operation.)
Common Pitfalls and Tips
Understanding and using prepositions of time correctly can be tricky, especially when you are translating directly from English to Spanish. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to avoid them:
1. Direct Translations:
– Avoid translating prepositions directly from English to Spanish as they often don’t match up perfectly.
– Example: “In the morning” is “por la mañana” in Spanish, not “en la mañana.”
2. Context Matters:
– The meaning of prepositions can change depending on the context, so always consider the entire sentence.
– Example: “En” can mean “in,” “on,” or “at” depending on how it’s used.
3. Practice with Examples:
– The best way to master prepositions of time is through practice and exposure. Use them in sentences, read Spanish texts, and listen to native speakers.
– Example: Write sentences about your daily routine using different prepositions of time.
4. Memorize Common Phrases:
– Some prepositions are used frequently in fixed expressions, so memorizing these can be very helpful.
– Example: “De noche” (at night), “por la mañana” (in the morning), “a las tres” (at three).
Exercises for Practice
To reinforce your understanding of Spanish prepositions of time, here are some exercises you can try:
1. Fill in the Blanks:
– La clase empieza ___ las nueve.
– He vivido aquí ___ 2015.
– Vamos a la playa ___ el verano.
– Trabajo ___ las ocho ___ las cuatro.
– Nos vemos ___ una hora.
2. Translate Sentences:
– I have been here since Monday.
– The meeting is from 2 PM to 3 PM.
– We study at night.
– She started working in 2001.
– We will go for a walk after dinner.
3. Create Your Sentences:
– Write five sentences about your daily routine using different prepositions of time.
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions of time in Spanish is essential for clear and precise communication. Though they might seem daunting at first, with practice and exposure, you will become more comfortable using them. Remember to consider the context, avoid direct translations, and practice regularly. Soon, you’ll find that using these prepositions becomes second nature.
Happy learning!
