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This lesson covers temporal expressions like "Hace un rato" (a little while ago), "Esta semana" (this week), and "Este mes" (this month), teaching how to use them with the pretérito perfecto tense to describe recent actions within current time frames.
  1. "Hace" + amount of time is used for an action that has just finished.
  2. "Esta/Este" + time is used for a period still current.
  3. Temporal expressions are accompanied by verbs in the present perfect tense.
Expresión temporalTiempo verbalEjemplo
Hace un ratoPretérito perfectoHe recibido el dinero hace un rato.
Esta semanaPretérito perfectoEsta semana, he abierto mi primera cuenta bancaria. 
HoyPretérito perfectoHoy he añadido productos al carrito.
Este mesPretérito perfectoEste mes he comprado mucho online.

Exceptions!

  1. To talk about something that is happening now, you can also use "hoy". In this case, we do not include "este/-a".

Exercise 1: Expresiones temporales: "Hace un rato", "Esta semana", "Este mes",etc...

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

he hecho, abriste, han hablado, has añadido, he añadido, he comprado, usaste

1. Compar:
: Esta tarde yo ... unas cosas por internet.
(This afternoon I have bought some things online.)
2. Añadir:
: Este mes yo ... productos a mi cesta de compras.
(This month I have added products to my shopping basket.)
3. Comprar:
: Hace un rato yo ... una tarjeta de crédito nueva.
(A little while ago I bought a new credit card.)
4. Abrir:
: Tú ... una cuenta la semana pasada.
(You opened an account last week.)
5. Añadir:
: Este mes tú ... varias cosas a tu cesta de compras.
(This month you have added several things to your shopping basket.)
6. Hablar:
: Hace poco ellos ... por teléfono con el banco.
(They have recently spoken to the bank on the phone.)
7. Hacer:
: Hace un rato yo ... la reserva del vuelo en línea.
(A little while ago I made the flight reservation online.)
8. Usar:
: Tú ... el cajero hace un rato.
(You used the cash machine a little while ago.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence according to the usage rules of the time expressions "Hace un rato" (a little while ago), "Esta semana" (this week), "Este mes" (this month) with the present perfect tense.

1.
Con "Esta semana" se debe usar pretérito perfecto, pero aquí está en pretérito indefinido.
Con "Hace un rato" se usa pretérito perfecto, no presente.
2.
No se usa "Hace" con períodos actuales como "esta semana".
Para expresar una acción terminada en "esta semana" se usa pretérito perfecto, no presente.
3.
"Hace" no se usa con expresiones como "esta semana" que indican períodos actuales.
Se debe usar pretérito perfecto con "esta semana", no pretérito indefinido.
4.
"Esta semana" requiere pretérito perfecto, no pretérito indefinido.
No se utiliza "Hace" con períodos presentes o vigentes como "esta semana".

Temporal Expressions in Spanish: "Hace un rato," "Esta semana," "Este mes," and More

This lesson introduces key temporal expressions that indicate when an action takes place, its duration, or how much time has passed since it happened. Understanding these expressions is essential for effective communication about recent or ongoing events in Spanish.

Key Temporal Expressions and Their Use with the Present Perfect

The expressions "Hace un rato" (a little while ago), "Esta semana" (this week), "Hoy" (today), and "Este mes" (this month) are used to situate actions in time, often accompanied by the pretérito perfecto (present perfect tense) in Spanish.

  • "Hace" + amount of time: Used for actions that were completed recently but are no longer ongoing.
    Example: He recibido el dinero hace un rato. (I have received the money a little while ago.)
  • "Esta" or "Este" + time period: Indicates a time frame that is still current.
    Example: Esta semana, he abierto mi primera cuenta bancaria. (This week, I have opened my first bank account.)
  • "Hoy": Used to refer to actions happening within the current day.
    Example: Hoy he añadido productos al carrito. (Today I have added products to the cart.)

Grammar Tip: Present Perfect in Spanish

Notice that these temporal expressions are paired with the present perfect tense (pretérito perfecto) in Spanish. This differs from English, where the simple past often suffices for recent events. For example, in Spanish you say:

  • He comprado mucho online este mes. (I have bought a lot online this month.)

Using the correct tense with these expressions emphasizes that the action relates to a period that includes the present moment.

Contrast with English Temporal Structures

In English, we often use the simple past with expressions like "last week" or "yesterday." However, the Spanish present perfect must accompany temporal phrases indicating ongoing or very recent time frames, such as "esta semana" or "hace un rato." This highlights the connection between the action and the current moment.

Useful Phrases and Vocabulary

  • Hace un rato – a short time ago
  • Esta semana – this week
  • Este mes – this month
  • Hoy – today
  • Pretérito perfecto – present perfect tense

Practical Usage

When speaking about recent or current actions, pair these temporal expressions with the correct verb tense. This will make your Spanish sound natural and precise. Example sentences:

  • He realizado una transferencia hace un rato. (I have made a transfer a little while ago.)
  • Esta semana he abierto una nueva cuenta bancaria. (This week I have opened a new bank account.)
  • Hoy he pagado facturas online. (Today I have paid bills online.)

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