A2 Spanish GrammarTemporal Prepositions
Master Spanish time prepositions: a, de, en, por, para, desde, hasta, durante, hace. Learn when to use each preposition for times, dates, and durations.
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1Time of Day: A and De
Use 'a' for specific times (a las tres = at three). Use 'de' to specify morning/afternoon/evening (de la maƱana/tarde/noche). De...a expresses ranges (de 9 a 5).
A and De for Times
| Structure | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| a + la/las + time | a las ocho | at eight |
| de la maƱana | a las 9 de la maƱana | at 9 in the morning |
| de la tarde | a las 3 de la tarde | at 3 in the afternoon |
| de la noche | a las 10 de la noche | at 10 at night |
| de...a | de 9 a 5 | from 9 to 5 |
Examples
La clase empieza a las nueve.
The class starts at nine.
a las + time
Trabajo de nueve a cinco.
I work from nine to five.
de...a for range
Nos vemos a las ocho de la noche.
We'll meet at eight in the evening.
de la noche = PM/evening
El banco abre a las diez de la maƱana.
The bank opens at ten in the morning.
de la maƱana = AM
2En for Periods and Seasons
Use 'en' for months, years, seasons, and periods. Spanish uses en where English often uses 'in'. En also works for expressions like 'en este momento' (at this moment).
En for Time Periods
| Usage | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| months | en enero | in January |
| years | en 2024 | in 2024 |
| seasons | en verano | in summer |
| decades | en los aƱos 90 | in the 90s |
| moments | en este momento | at this moment |
Examples
NaciĆ³ en marzo de 1990.
She was born in March 1990.
en + month
Vamos a la playa en verano.
We go to the beach in summer.
en + season
En aquel momento no sabĆa quĆ© hacer.
At that moment I didn't know what to do.
en = at (moment)
Lo terminƩ en dos horas.
I finished it in two hours.
en = within (duration)
3Desde, Hasta, Durante
Desde means 'since' or 'from' (starting point). Hasta means 'until' or 'to' (ending point). Durante means 'during' or 'for' (length of time). Desde...hasta creates ranges.
Duration Prepositions
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| desde | since, from | desde 2020 |
| hasta | until, to | hasta maƱana |
| durante | during, for | durante la noche |
| desde...hasta | from...to | desde lunes hasta viernes |
Examples
Vivo aquĆ desde 2015.
I've lived here since 2015.
desde = since
EspƩrame hasta las cinco.
Wait for me until five.
hasta = until
EstudiƩ durante tres horas.
I studied for three hours.
durante = for (duration)
Trabajamos desde las ocho hasta las tres.
We work from eight to three.
desde...hasta range
4Hace and Time Expressions
Hace + time = 'ago'. Hace + time + que + present = action continuing since. Desde hace = 'for (time)'. These structures express how long an action has been ongoing or when it happened.
Hace Expressions
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| hace + time | ago | hace dos dĆas |
| hace + time + que + present | for (ongoing) | Hace un aƱo que estudio |
| desde hace + time | for (duration) | desde hace tres meses |
| ĀæCuĆ”nto hace que...? | How long...? | ĀæCuĆ”nto hace que vives aquĆ? |
Examples
LleguƩ hace una semana.
I arrived a week ago.
hace = ago
Hace tres aƱos que trabajo aquĆ.
I've been working here for three years.
hace...que + present
Estudio espaƱol desde hace seis meses.
I've been studying Spanish for six months.
desde hace = for
ĀæCuĆ”nto hace que no comes?
How long has it been since you ate?
cuƔnto hace que
Practice Exercises
4 exercises
Complete: 'La reuniĆ³n es ___ las tres ___ la tarde.' (The meeting is at three in the afternoon.)
Complete: 'NacĆ ___ marzo ___ 1995.' (I was born in March 1995.)
Complete: 'EstudiƩ espaƱol ___ tres aƱos.' (I studied Spanish for three years.)
Complete: 'LleguƩ a EspaƱa ___ una semana.' (I arrived in Spain a week ago.)
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