hace
/ˈaθe/
hace is the Spanish word for 'it makes' or 'it does'.
It has two common functions: when used with a time period, it functions like the English word 'ago' to indicate how long ago an event occurred. It is also used in impersonal expressions to describe weather, such as in hace calor (it is hot).
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'makes' which often requires a direct object, the Spanish hace can be used impersonally to describe weather or time without a subject.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of hace is hacen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaθe/
Did you know?
- The word hace comes from the Latin verb facere, which is the same root that gave English the words 'factory' and 'fact'.
- When talking about the weather, hace is used for temperature and wind, but not for rain or snow. For those, Spanish uses the verb llover or nevar instead of 'making' the weather.
- The verb hacer can be used in the expression hacer falta, which means 'to be lacking' or 'to be necessary'. In this context, hace falta does not mean something is being 'made'.
Examples in context
- ¿Recuerdas cuando visitamos Madrid? Sí, fue hace un tiempo.Do you remember when we visited Madrid? Yes, it was a while ago.
- Empecé a aprender piano hace bastante tiempo.I started learning piano a considerable time ago.
- No veo a Juan desde hace una eternidad.I haven't seen Juan in ages.
- ¿Cuándo llegas? Llego en 10 minutos, salí de casa hace rato.When are you arriving? I'll be there in 10 minutes, I left home a while ago.
- Me regaló este libro hace un montón, pero aún no lo he leído.He gave me this book a long time ago, but I haven't read it yet.
- No visito esa cafetería desde hace siglos.I haven't been to that café in ages.
- Hace mucho calor hoy.It is very hot today.
- Hace buen tiempo en la playa.The weather is good at the beach.
- Hace frío en este cuarto.It is cold in this room.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are walking outside during a summer afternoon.
- LucíaHace mucho calor, ¿verdad?It is very hot, right?
- AlejandroSí, hace demasiado calor para caminar.Yes, it is too hot to walk.
- LucíaBusquemos un lugar con aire acondicionado.Let's look for a place with air conditioning.
- AlejandroBuena idea, Lucía.Good idea, Lucía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hace, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
