por ese entonces
/poɾ ˌese enˈtonθes/
The English phrase "back then" can be translated into Spanish using por ese entonces. Wiktionary also lists por aquel entonces.
Meaning: at that time (prep_phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| por ese entonces | /poɾ ˌese enˈtonθes/ /poɾ ˌese enˈtonses/ |
| por aquel entonces | /poɾ aˌkel enˈtonθes/ /poɾ aˌkel enˈtonses/ |
These phrases are used to mean "at that time".
Which one should you use?
While por ese entonces and por aquel entonces are often interchangeable, por aquel entonces uses a more distant demonstrative, which can subtly emphasize a time that feels even more remote or distant in the speaker's memory.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾ ˌese enˈtonθes/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers often use the word entonces as a filler word to mean 'so' or 'well' when starting a sentence. In this context, it has nothing to do with time or 'back then'.
- The word aquel comes from a Vulgar Latin compound of eccum and ille. This means it literally started as a way of saying 'look, that one' to point something out.
- Even though English uses 'back' to indicate the direction of time in 'back then', Spanish uses the preposition por, which literally translates to 'through' or 'by'.
Examples in context
- Las cosas por aquel entonces eran diferentes.Things were different back then.This sentence shows how to use por aquel entonces to describe how things were in the past.Tatoeba #13429680 by Seael, translation #8202095 by Hybrid
- En aquel entonces, las tecnologías de la información no estaban tan avanzadas.Back then, information technologies were not so advanced.
- En aquel entonces, el acceso a la información era limitado y costoso.Back then, access to information was limited and expensive.
- En aquellos tiempos, la gente vivía de una manera más sencilla.In those times, people lived in a simpler way.
- Antes, la vida era mucho más tranquila.Before, life was much more tranquil.
- Antes, solíamos jugar al aire libre durante horas sin preocupaciones.Before, we used to play outdoors for hours without worries.
- En aquellos días, todo era más sencillo y sin preocupaciones.In those days, everything was simpler and without worries.
- Yo vivía en Madrid por ese entonces.I lived in Madrid back then.
- Todo era más barato por ese entonces.Everything was cheaper back then.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at old photographs.
- Sofía¿Dónde estabas tú por ese entonces?Where were you back then?
- AlejandroEstaba estudiando en la universidad.I was studying at the university.
- Sofía¡Qué tiempos tan divertidos!What fun times those were!
- AlejandroSí, la pasábamos muy bien.Yes, we had a great time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “back then” translations and entries por ese entonces, por aquel entonces, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aquel, entonces, ese, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
