Spanish 4.6. Time Expressions: “Todavía,” “Aún,” “Ya,” “Hace,” “Acabar,” & “Desde”

In this section, we will learn more advanced time expressions that are common in Spanish: “todavía,” “aún,” “ya,” “hace,” “acabar,” and “desde.”

“Todavía,” “Aún,” and “Ya”

When followed by a verb in the present tense, both “todavía” and “aún ^[1]” generally mean “still” in affirmative and negative expressions. Both “todavía” and “aún” can also mean “yet” in a negative expression when followed by a verb in the present perfect tense, for example:

• “Ayudó mucho, aun como amigo” (He helped a lot, even as a friend).
• “No vino nadie, ni aun mi hermano” (No one came, not even my brother).
• “Aun cuando estoy enfermo, voy al trabajo” (Even if I am sick, I go to work).
• “Aun así, no es possible” (Even so, it is not possible).

“ya” x “todavía no” / “ya no” x “todavía”

One can think of “ya” as the opposite response to “todavía no” and of “ya no” as the opposite response to “todavía.” Below are some examples in both the present tense and the present perfect tense:

a) Present Tense (“ya no” as the opposite of “todavía”)

b) Present Tense (“ya” as the opposite of “todavía no”)

c) Present Perfect Tense (“ya” as the opposite of “todavía no”)

In Latin American Spanish, it is common to use the preterite with “ya” to describe finished actions, e.g., “Ya volví a casa” (I have already returned home). The English equivalent, however, still uses the present perfect to express the same meaning.

Other Uses of “ya”

In addition, “ya” can mean “now” or “shortly” if it is followed by a verb in the present tense that implies a future action. A common expression representing this case is “ya voy,” which means “I’m coming.” Similarly, “ya vuelvo” means “I will return shortly.”

Keep in mind that the above cases are not the only uses of “ya.” There are many other cases in which it is used to express emphasis, frustration, or other sentiments where literal translation is often difficult, e.g., “Ya lo creo” (I think so), “¡Basta ya!” (Enough is enough!).

The expression “ya que” is often translated as “considering that” or “since,” e.g., “Ya que estás aquí, podemos hablar” (Since you are here, we can talk).

“Hace”

The verb “hacer” can be used to describe something that happened in the past. Depending on the context, it can mean the equivalent of “ago” or “for,” as shown in the following examples:

Actions that happened and ended in the past:

Actions that started in the past and continue into the present:

Actions that happened in the past and were interrupted in the past:

“Acabar”

The verb “acabar” is an important verb that expresses the timing of an action.

If used on its own, the verb “acabar” often means “to finish or complete” or “to use up or exhaust the supplies of,” for example:

“Acabarse”

The verb can also be in the reflexive form “acabarse,” which means “to reach an end” or “to run out or run its course before dying off,” for example:

“Acabar de”

The verbal expression “acabar de” followed by the infinitive is used to describe an event that has just finished in the present, for example:

If the expression “acabar de” is used to describe something in the distant past that had just finished when another event took place, the imperfect tense of the verb “acabar” is used, for example:

“Acabar por”

The verbal expression “acabar por” in the preterite followed by the infinitive is used to describe the meaning of finally doing something or ending up doing something unexpectedly, for example:

“Acabar con”

The verbal expression “acabar con” in the preterite tense followed by the infinitive means “to finish off,” “to put an end to,” or “to ruin.”

“Desde”

Depending on the context, “desde” can mean “since” or “from.”

If used to indicate the location or place from which the action originates, it is translated as “from,” for example:

If used to indicate time, it is usually translated as “since,” for example:

There are some exceptions where “desde” can be translated as “from,” even though it indicates time, for example:

Quiz: The Verb “Acabar” in Spanish

Spanish: The Verb "Acabar"

1 / 7

1. Acabo de llegar a casa.

I ___ arrived home.

will have

have just

had just

In Spanish, the verbal expression “acabar de” in the present tense followed by the infinitive is used to describe an event that has just finished in the present.

In Spanish, the verbal expression “acabar de” in the present tense followed by the infinitive is used to describe an event that has just finished in the present.

2 / 7

2. El partido se acabó.

The match ___ .

ended

started

continued

In Spanish, the verb “acabarse” means “to reach an end” or “to run out or run its course before dying off.”

In Spanish, the verb “acabarse” means “to reach an end” or “to run out or run its course before dying off.”

3 / 7

3. Se acabó la leche de la nevera.

The milk in the fridge ___ .

ran out

fell down

disappeared

In Spanish, the verb “acabarse” means “to reach an end” or “to run out or run its course before dying off.”

In Spanish, the verb “acabarse” means “to reach an end” or “to run out or run its course before dying off.”

4 / 7

4. Acababa de llegar a la casa cuando él me llamó.

I ___ when he called me.

will arrive home

have arrived home

had just arrived home

In Spanish, if the expression “acabar de” is used to describe something in the distant past that had just finished when another event took place, the imperfect tense of the verb “acabar” is used.

In Spanish, if the expression “acabar de” is used to describe something in the distant past that had just finished when another event took place, the imperfect tense of the verb “acabar” is used.

5 / 7

5. Acabé por ir a Italia.

I ___ going to Italy.

finished

have just been

ended up

In Spanish, the verbal expression “acabar por” in the preterite followed by the infinitive is used to describe the meaning of finally doing something or ending up doing something unexpectedly.

In Spanish, the verbal expression “acabar por” in the preterite followed by the infinitive is used to describe the meaning of finally doing something or ending up doing something unexpectedly.

6 / 7

6. Acababamos por viajar solos.

We ___ traveling alone.

finished

have just been

ended up

In Spanish, the verbal expression “acabar por” in the preterite followed by the infinitive is used to describe the meaning of finally doing something or ending up doing something unexpectedly.

In Spanish, the verbal expression “acabar por” in the preterite followed by the infinitive is used to describe the meaning of finally doing something or ending up doing something unexpectedly.

7 / 7

7. La guerra acabó con nuestros planes.

The war ___ our plans.

completed

ruined

ran out

The verbal expression “acabar con” followed by the infinitive means “to finish off,” “to put an end to,” or “to ruin.”

The verbal expression “acabar con” followed by the infinitive means “to finish off,” “to put an end to,” or “to ruin.”

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