Speak with Confidence – 20 Essential Time Markers in Spanish ⏳

(+ Practice)

Hola amig@, ¿Cómo estás?

Welcome to this week’s edition of Master Spanish Weekly, where we focus on helping you speak Spanish more naturally with key grammar, vocabulary, and real-life expressions.

This week, we’re covering essential time markers to help you correctly use the present and past tense. Mastering these words will make your sentences flow more naturally and give you confidence when speaking.

Plus, I’ve put together a free editable worksheet to help you practice. Grab it below! 👇

10 Time Markers for the Present & Past

Understanding in what scenario or situation you’d use the present and past tense will make it easier to pick a time marker to start your sentence.

- The Present Tense (Presente de Indicativo)

We use the present tense for things that happen now or regularly. Think of it as talking about your habits, routines, or facts.

- The Past Tense (Pretérito Indefinido)

We use the pretérito indefinido for things that happened once, at a specific time, and are now over.

10 Time Markers for the Present Tense

1️⃣ SiempreSiempre estudio español después del trabajo. (I always study Spanish after work.)
2️⃣ A menudoA menudo hablamos por teléfono. (We often talk on the phone.)
3️⃣ Todos los díasTodos los días voy al gimnasio. (I go to the gym every day.)
4️⃣ NormalmenteNormalmente como a las 2 p.m. (I usually eat at 2 p.m.)
5️⃣ GeneralmenteGeneralmente duermo temprano. (I generally sleep early.)
6️⃣ Cada semanaCada semana practicamos español en clase. (Every week, we practice Spanish in class.)
7️⃣ De vez en cuandoDe vez en cuando voy al cine. (Once in a while, I go to the movies.)
8️⃣ Hoy en díaHoy en día mucha gente trabaja desde casa. (Nowadays, many people work from home.)
9️⃣ MientrasMientras cocino, escucho música. (While I cook, I listen to music.)
🔟 Ahora mismoAhora mismo estoy en una reunión. (Right now, I’m in a meeting.)

10 Time Markers for the Past Tense (Pretérito Indefinido)

1️⃣ AyerAyer fui al supermercado. (Yesterday, I went to the supermarket.)
2️⃣ AnocheAnoche vimos una película. (Last night, we watched a movie.)
3️⃣ La semana pasadaLa semana pasada viajé a México. (Last week, I traveled to Mexico.)
4️⃣ El año pasadoEl año pasado estudié francés. (Last year, I studied French.)
5️⃣ Hace un mesHace un mes terminé mi curso de español. (A month ago, I finished my Spanish course.)
6️⃣ En 2022En 2022 viví en Argentina. (In 2022, I lived in Argentina.)
7️⃣ Hace dos díasHace dos días llamé a mi amigo. (Two days ago, I called my friend.)
8️⃣ De repenteDe repente, empezó a llover. (Suddenly, it started raining.)
9️⃣ El otro díaEl otro día te vi en el centro. (The other day, I saw you downtown.)
🔟 Por finPor fin terminé el proyecto. (Finally, I finished the project.)

Download our worksheet to practice:

✉️ Want to check your answers? Send your completed worksheet back, and I’ll send you the answer key for review.

🎵 Song of the Week: "Tacones Rojos" – Sebastián Yatra

This week’s song is Tacones Rojos by Sebastián Yatra. It’s a catchy, feel-good song with great vocabulary for everyday Spanish. Listen, read the lyrics, and see how many new words you recognize!

Gracias por dedicar tiempo a mejorar tu español. Recuerda que la práctica constante es la clave. Nos vemos la próxima semana con más contenido útil.

Un abrazo,

Alejandro Nuñez
Founder & Director