10K+ students - 4.8/5

Learn with a teacher Learning materials included Practise conversation

Temporal expressions (A while ago, this week, this month,...)

Time expressions indicate when an action occurs, its duration, and how much time has passed since it happened.

Gramática: Expresiones temporales (Hace un rato, esta semana, este mes,...)

A2 Spanish Basic time expressions

Level: A2

Module 2: El buen pasado (The good old past)

Lesson 10: ¿Oíste las noticias? (Did you hear the news?)

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Audio and video

Audio with translations
Audio with translations

  1. To talk about events that have happened in the recent past use "hace" + time.
  2. To talk about something that is happening currently, use "este/-a" + time.
  3. To talk about something that is happening now, you can also use "hoy". In this case, we do not include "este/-a".
  4. Time expressions are accompanied by verbs in the present perfect.
Expresión temporalEjemplo
Hace un ratoHe terminado de leer el anuncio hace un rato. (I finished reading the announcement a while ago.)
Hace pocoHace poco he descubierto una nueva publicidad. (Recently I have discovered a new advertisement.)
Hace una media horaHabéis vuelto del evento hace una media hora. (You came back from the event half an hour ago.)
Hace un momento¿Has escuchado el anuncio hace un momento? (Have you heard the announcement a moment ago?)
Esta semana¿Has descubierto nuevas publicidades esta semana? (Have you discovered any new advertisements this week?)
Este mesEste mes he vuelto a participar en un evento importante. (This month I have participated in an important event again.)
HoyHoy no he visto el anuncio. (Today I haven't seen the advert.)

Exercise 1: Expresiones temporales (Hace un rato, esta semana, este mes,...)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

hace un rato, hace poco, Hace un momento, desde hace un tiempo, desde siempre, esta semana, este mes, Hoy

1.
Participas en eventos importantes ..., ¿verdad? Has participado en muchos ya.
(You've been taking part in important events for a while, haven't you? You've participated in many already.)
2.
Esta semana ha sido muy buena. Hemos vuelto a participar en la organización de la publicidad ....
(This week has been very good. We have participated in the organization of the publicity again this week.)
3.
... he visto un anuncio sobre el evento. No han pasado ni cinco minutos.
(A moment ago I saw an advert about the event. Not even five minutes have passed.)
4.
Hemos vuelto del evento ....
(We got back from the event a little while ago.)
5.
... he visto un anuncio muy importante. Tengo que leerlo durante el día.
(Today I've seen a very important announcement. I have to read it during the day.)
6.
Es un mes interesante. Ana ha descubierto muchas publicidades ...
(It's an interesting month. Ana has discovered many advertisements this month.)
7.
A María siempre le han gustado los eventos. Le ha gustado participar en eventos importantes ....
(María has always liked events. She has liked taking part in important events since always.)
8.
¿Has visto la publicidad ... o hace rato?
(Have you seen the advert recently or a while ago?)

Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence

Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.

1

Hoy

Today

2

hace poco

recently

3

desde hace un tiempo

for some time now

4

este mes

this month

coLanguage

Conversation classes

These learning materials should be studied with our teachers during conversation classes.

  • Dialogues and short stories.
  • CEFR compliant.
  • Audio and video.
  • PDF, exercises and worksheets included.

Who is coLanguage?

We are a Spanish language school offering online and local conversation classes.

  • Focus on culture and practical situations.
  • Fast paced learning.
  • Social and fun.
  • Individual and group classes.

Enroll now!

©2025 coLanguage. All rights reserved.