veces
/ˈbeθes/
veces is the Spanish word for "times" (plural), referring to the number of occasions something happens.
The word is used to express frequency or the number of occurrences of an event. When you want to say "many times" or "several times," you use veces alongside quantifiers such as muchas or varias.
Which one should you use?
Use the singular form vez when referring to a single occasion, and use the plural veces when referring to multiple occasions.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using veces to express quantities like "many" or "several," it is commonly paired with quantifiers such as muchas or varias.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbeθes/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using veces to refer to a duration of time. While it means "times" in terms of frequency (e.g., "three times a year"), it should not be used to mean a period of time (e.g., "three years").
Did you know?
- When someone says esta vez (this time), they are using a word that shares the same Latin root as the English word 'once'. Both vez and 'once' derive from the Latin 'vicis', meaning a change or substitution.
- While English uses 'times' for both frequency and multiplication, using veces for math, such as 'dos veces tres', is much less common than saying por in most regions.
- The expression de una vez can mean 'at once' or 'finally', often carrying a tone of impatience that is not present in the literal translation.
Examples in context
- Debes completar el formulario tres veces para obtener el permiso.You must fill out the form three times to obtain the permit.
- La película fue vista dos veces por la audiencia.The movie was watched two times by the audience.
- María corre rápidamente tres veces a la semana.María runs quickly three times a week.
- A veces, es mejor callar.Sometimes, it's better to remain silent.
- Las historias se repiten muchas veces en la región andina.Stories are repeated many times in the Andean region.
- Muchas veces he ido allí.Many times I have gone there.
- ¡Cuántas veces te lo he dicho!How many times have I told you!
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about a movie they've seen.
- Daniel¿Cuántas veces has visto esta película?How many times have you seen this movie?
- MaríaLa he visto un par de veces.I have seen it a couple of times.
- DanielYo solo la vi una vez.I only saw it once.
- MaríaEntonces, ¿la vemos de nuevo?Then, shall we watch it again?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry veces, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
