The present perfect tense, known as ‘el pretérito perfecto‘ in Spanish, is the first tense that I recommend Spanish students learn in order to start talking about the past in Spanish. It is the easiest, and you can use it in a lot of situations.
In this post, you will learn the conjugation of the regular verbs and 3 different ways to use it. You’ll also practice the conjugation with two interactive exercises.
Talking about the past in Spanish
Video Lesson
El pretérito perfecto: The conjugation
Talking about the past in Spanish
3 different ways to use “el pretérito perfecto”
1. To talk about experiences in life. No matter when they happened.
He estado muchas veces en París
I have been to Paris many times
Juan ha viajado por todo el mundo
John has travelled all over the world
2. To talk about events that started in the past and continue in the present, or events that have happened in the recent past.
Esta semana he ido al gimnasio dos veces.
I’ve been to the gym twice this week
Tu madre ha llamado por teléfono hace diez minutos.
Your mother called by phone ten minutes ago.
3. To talk about past events with consequences in the present or even in the future.
He reservado una mesa para esta noche.
I have booked one table for tonight.
Talking about the past in Spanish
Online course to learn “El pretérito perfecto”
Regular and Irregular conjugation
5 different ways to use this tense with examples
24 interactive exercises
Downloadable slides
