hacer
/aˈθeɾ/
In Spanish, the English phrase 'do' is translated as hacer.
hacer is used to express the performance of tasks or activities.
Meaning: perform tasks (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the first-person singular in the present indicative, hacer becomes hago (I do/make). In the preterite past tense, the first-person singular is hice (I did/made) and the third-person singular is hizo (he/she/it did/made).
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈθeɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often attempt to distinguish between 'do' and 'make' using different Spanish verbs, but hacer is used for both concepts.
Did you know?
- While hacer means 'to do', the expression ¡Hazte el sueco! uses the verb to tell someone to 'play dumb' or pretend not to understand.
- The Spanish language uses hacer to express the passage of time, such as hace tres años meaning 'three years ago'.
- In Spanish, you can use hacer to talk about the weather, such as saying hace calor to mean 'it is hot', rather than using the verb 'to be'.
Examples in context
- Iré a hacer eso.I'll go do that.This sentence shows how to use hacer to express going to perform an action.Tatoeba #2817638 by marcelostockle, translation #2549526 by CK
- ¿Vas a hacer eso?Are you going to do that?This sentence uses hacer to ask about a future intention to do something.Tatoeba #6682546 by UsuarioX, translation #5851902 by CK
- No sabe qué hacer.He doesn't know what to do.This sentence demonstrates using hacer to express not knowing an action to take.Tatoeba #1291790 by Shishir, translation #717764 by CM
- Haga lo necesario para tener éxito.Do what is necessary to succeed.
- ¿Qué debo hacer?What should I do?
- Por favor, hágalo y envíeme el informe.Please do it and send me the report.
- Debes realizar todas tus tareas con diligencia.You must do all your tasks diligently.
- El equipo de expertos realizó una investigación exhaustiva.The team of experts did thorough research.
- No voy a realizarlo debido a la falta de recursos.I am not going to do it due to the lack of resources.
- Haz lo que quieras.Do whatever you want.
- No hagas tonterías.Don't do silly things.
- Hazlo ahora mismo.Do it right now.
- Haz ejercicio regularmente.Do exercise regularly.
- Haz la cama antes de salir.Make the bed before you leave.
- Hazme un favor y vete.Do me a favor and leave.
- 3619 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are planning their Saturday morning.
- Javier¿Qué vas a hacer esta mañana, María?What are you going to do this morning, María?
- MaríaPrimero, tengo que hacer la limpieza.First, I have to do the cleaning.
- JavierYo también tengo mucho que hacer.I also have a lot to do.
- MaríaEntonces, nos vemos más tarde.Then, I will see you later.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hacer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
