una vez
/ˌuna ˈbeθ/
The English word 'once' is translated into Spanish as una vez.
una vez is a common and neutral adverbial phrase used to mean 'one and only one time'. If you wish to express 'many times', you should use the plural form muchas veces.
Meaning: one and only one time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the feminine singular article una (one) and the noun vez (time or occurrence).
Which one should you use?
While una vez refers to a single occurrence, adding the word 'que' creates the conjunction una vez que, which means 'once' in the sense of 'as soon as' or 'after'. Related phrases for this conjunction include tan pronto como.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌuna ˈbeθ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, if you want to say 'once upon a time', you do not use una vez alone, but the fixed formula Érase una vez.
- While una vez refers to a single instance, Spanish speakers use the phrase de una vez to mean 'all at once' or 'finally', often implying impatience.
- While una vez means 'once', the word vez is linguistically related to the English word 'vice' as in 'vice versa', both tracing back to the idea of 'alternation' or 'turning'.
Examples in context
- Una vez vi uno.I saw one once.This sentence uses una vez to describe a past observation.Tatoeba #11737236 by Seael, translation #2406083 by CK
- Vale con una vez.Once is enough.This sentence uses una vez to indicate that one instance is sufficient.Tatoeba #10267010 by Seael, translation #3734113 by CK
- Lo conocí una vez.I met him once.This sentence uses una vez to describe a single meeting.Tatoeba #1279990 by marcelostockle, translation #66337 by CK
- Viajé a París una vez en mi vida.I traveled to Paris once in my life.
- ¿Puedes repetirlo una vez más, por favor?Can you repeat it one more time, please?
- Intenté aprender a tocar guitarra una vez, pero lo dejé.I tried to learn to play guitar once, but I gave it up.
- Solo he comido sushi en una ocasión.I have only eaten sushi once.
- 455 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing a movie they saw.
- DanielSolo fui al cine una vez este año.I only went to the cinema once this year.
- María¿Solo una vez, Daniel?Only once, Daniel?
- DanielSí, he estado muy ocupado.Yes, I have been very busy.
- MaríaEs una pena.That's a shame.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “once” translations and entries una vez, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries una, una vez, vez, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
