ayer
/aˈʝeɾ/
The English word "yesterday" is translated into Spanish as ayer.
Ayer functions as both a noun meaning "the day before today" and an adverb meaning "on the day before today."
Meaning: day before today (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Spanish-speaking regions, such as Spain and parts of Latin America, the word anteayer is used to mean "the day before yesterday."
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈʝeɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word ayer is a linguistic relative of the English word 'heir'. Both can be traced back to a Proto-Indo-European root related to the concept of following or succeeding.
- While ayer means 'yesterday', the expression el otro día is frequently used when the speaker cannot remember if the event happened yesterday or a few days ago.
- In some Spanish dialects, the phrase ayer mismo is used to emphasize that something happened exactly yesterday, often implying it was very recent or surprising.
Examples in context
- Ayer se lo di.I gave it to him yesterday.This sentence shows the use of ayer when describing giving something to someone.Tatoeba #4123342 by gianich73, translation #3907303 by CH
- Ayer vi a Juan.I saw Juan yesterday.This sentence shows the use of ayer when describing seeing someone.Tatoeba #1944016 by hayastan, translation #11354783 by magnificentgoddess
- Ayer fui al zoo.I went to the zoo yesterday.This sentence shows the use of ayer when describing a trip to the zoo.Tatoeba #514886 by Shishir, translation #1876 by Swift
- Tuvimos una reunión importante ayer.We had an important meeting yesterday.
- Ayer visité el museo de arte.Yesterday, I visited the art museum.
- El día de ayer fue un gran éxito.Yesterday was a great success.
- Ayer mismo vi una película genial.I watched a great movie just yesterday.
- El día de ayer estuvo muy aburrido.The day before today was very boring.
- No vi a María ayer, pero la vi anteayer.I didn't see María yesterday, but I saw her the day before yesterday.
- 1273 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking about a missed phone call.
- AlejandroAyer te llamé, pero no respondiste.Yesterday I called you, but you didn't answer.
- LucíaLo siento, ayer no tenía el móvil.I'm sorry, yesterday I didn't have my phone.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, no pasa nada.Don't worry, it's okay.
- LucíaGracias, ¿podemos hablar ahora?Thank you, can we talk now?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yesterday” translations and entries ayer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ayer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
