Understanding the Word “Times” in Spanish

Learning a new language involves understanding how certain words and expressions are used in different contexts. One such word that can be tricky for English speakers learning Spanish is “times.” While the word “time” translates to “tiempo” in Spanish, making it plural by simply adding an “s” can often lead to confusion. This blog post will clarify how to correctly use the word “times” in various contexts in Spanish.

When to Use “Tiempo” and “Tiempos”

In Spanish, “tiempo” means “time” in the sense of duration or the concept of time. For example:

• No tengo tiempo. (I don’t have time.)

However, when you try to make “tiempo” plural by saying “tiempos,” you need to be careful. “Tiempos” can refer to different periods or eras, as in:

• En esos tiempos… (In those times / In those days…)

Using “Por” for Mathematical Contexts

If you are talking about “times” in a mathematical sense, such as multiplication, the correct word to use is “por.” For example:

• Two times four is eight.
  • Dos por cuatro es ocho.

Using “Vez” for Frequency

When you want to talk about “times” in the sense of frequency (how many times something happens), you should use the word “vez” (singular) or “veces” (plural). For example:

• How many times?
  • ¿Cuántas veces?
• Five times.
  • Cinco veces.
• Six times.
  • Seis veces.

It’s incorrect to say “cinco tiempos” or “seis tiempos” when referring to frequency.

Examples of Correct Usage

Here are some examples to help you understand the correct usage of these terms:

1. Talking about past eras:
   • In those times, things were different.
     • En esos tiempos, las cosas eran diferentes.
2. Mathematical context:
   • Three times three is nine.
     • Tres por tres es nueve.
3. Frequency:
   • I have been to Spain three times.
     • He estado en España tres veces.
   • How many times do you exercise per week?
     • ¿Cuántas veces haces ejercicio por semana?

Understanding the different contexts in which to use “times” in Spanish is crucial for effective communication. Remember:

• Use “tiempo” for the concept of time and “tiempos” for periods or eras.
• Use “por” for multiplication in math.
• Use “vez” and “veces” for frequency.

By mastering these distinctions, you’ll be able to use “times” correctly in Spanish and avoid common pitfalls.