Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| en el pasado | /en el pasado/ (from spelling rules) |
| antes | /ˈantes/ |
| antaño | /anˈtaɲo/ |
The phrase is used to refer to a time that has already occurred. While en el pasado is a standard way to express this, other forms like antiguamente can be used to mean "formerly" or "in ancient times," and en tiempos pasados can be used to mean "in past times."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase en el pasado is composed of en (in), el (the) and pasado (past).
Which one should you use?
En el pasado is the standard way to say "in the past." In contrast, antaño is a more poetic or literary term meaning "in days of old" or "long ago" and is rarely used in casual spoken conversation. The word antes is also a common way to refer to a prior time.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase en el pasado functions as an adverbial phrase and can be placed at either the beginning or the end of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/en el pasado/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tom está atascado en el pasado.Tom is stuck in the past.This sentence shows how to use en el pasado to describe being stuck in a certain time.Tatoeba #1496792 by marcelostockle, translation #1496787 by Spamster
- Dejamos nuestras diferencias en el pasado.We had our differences in the past.This sentence demonstrates using en el pasado to describe leaving differences behind.Tatoeba #10274452 by manufrutos, translation #10264049 by sundown
- En el pasado, el salía por las noches a menudo.In the past, he would often go out at night.This sentence shows the placement of en el pasado at the beginning of a sentence.Tatoeba #4541145 by atomsk, translation #10967302 by Luornu
- En el pasado, las comunicaciones eran más lentas.In the past, communications were slower.
- En tiempos pasados, los imperios conquistaban vastas extensiones de tierra.In past times, empires conquered vast expanses of land.
- Antes, solíamos jugar fútbol todos los días.Before, we used to play soccer every day.
- En aquel entonces, no existían los teléfonos móviles.Back then, mobile phones didn't exist.
- En ese entonces, no había acceso a internet.Back then, there was no internet access.
- Los remedios caseros de antaño eran muy efectivos.The home remedies from yesteryear were very effective.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are discussing how their city has changed.
- DanielTodo era muy distinto en el pasado.Everything was very different in the past.
- LucíaEs cierto, Daniel, la ciudad ha cambiado mucho.It's true, Daniel, the city has changed a lot.
- Daniel¿Recuerdas cómo era la vida en el pasado?Do you remember how life was in the past?
- LucíaSí, pero me gusta más la actualidad.Yes, but I like the present more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “in the past” translations and entries antes, antaño, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries antaño, antes, el, en, pasado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
