What Did You Do Yesterday? Learn Spanish Phrases!
Hey guys! Ever found yourself racking your brain, trying to figure out how to ask someone, "What did you do yesterday?" in Spanish? Or maybe you're on the other side, wanting to share your adventures from the day before? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Let's dive into the world of Spanish and get you chatting about yesterday in no time. Trust me, it’s easier than you think, and knowing these phrases will seriously level up your Spanish-speaking game.
Asking "What Did You Do Yesterday?" in Spanish
So, you want to know how to ask the big question – “What did you do yesterday?” in Spanish. There are a few ways to go about it, depending on who you're talking to and how formal you want to be. Let's break down the most common and useful phrases.
¿Qué hiciste ayer?
This is probably the most straightforward and widely used way to ask "What did you do yesterday?" in Spanish. ¿Qué hiciste ayer? It translates directly to "What did you do yesterday?" The word “qué” means "what," “hiciste” is the past tense form of the verb “hacer” (to do or to make) for the tú form, and “ayer” means "yesterday." This version is perfect for talking to friends, family, or anyone you're on familiar terms with. It’s casual, friendly, and super common in everyday conversations. For example, you might ask a buddy, “¿Qué hiciste ayer? ¿Fuiste al partido?” (What did you do yesterday? Did you go to the game?). Remember to use the inverted question mark (¿) at the beginning of the sentence – it's a must in Spanish!
¿Qué hizo usted ayer?
If you're talking to someone you need to show a bit more respect to, like an older person, a boss, or someone you've just met, you'll want to use the usted form. The phrase becomes: ¿Qué hizo usted ayer? The only change here is the verb form; “hizo” is the form of “hacer” that corresponds to usted. Using usted shows politeness and formality. Imagine you're speaking to your professor: “¿Qué hizo usted ayer, Profesor Gómez? ¿Tuvo un buen día?” (What did you do yesterday, Professor Gomez? Did you have a good day?). It's all about showing that extra bit of respect in your conversation. It’s a small tweak, but it makes a big difference in how you're perceived!
¿Qué hicisteis ayer?
Now, if you find yourself chatting with a group of friends in Spain, you might hear or even use the vosotros form. This is specific to Spain and isn't used in Latin America. To ask a group "What did you do yesterday?" you'd say: ¿Qué hicisteis ayer? Again, the verb changes to match the subject. “Hicisteis” is the vosotros form of “hacer” in the past tense. So, if you're hanging out with your Spanish buddies in Madrid, you could ask, “¿Qué hicisteis ayer, chicos? ¿Salisteis de fiesta?” (What did you guys do yesterday? Did you go out partying?). Just remember, this form is mainly for Spain, so stick to tú or usted in Latin America to avoid any confusion!
Responding: Sharing What You Did Yesterday
Okay, now you know how to ask the question. But what about when you're the one being asked? Let's get you prepped with some phrases for sharing your own activities from yesterday. Whether you had a chill day or a wild adventure, these sentence structures will help you express yourself like a pro.
Yo + Verb in Past Tense + Ayer
This is the basic structure for talking about what you did. Start with “Yo” (I), followed by the verb in the past tense, and then “ayer” (yesterday). For example:
- Yo trabajé ayer. (I worked yesterday.)
- Yo estudié español ayer. (I studied Spanish yesterday.)
- Yo comí pizza ayer. (I ate pizza yesterday.)
It's super straightforward and easy to remember. To make it even more interesting, add some details! Instead of just saying “Yo trabajé ayer,” you could say “Yo trabajé en la oficina ayer” (I worked at the office yesterday). The more details, the better the story!
Using Specific Activities
To really paint a picture of your day, use specific verbs and activities. Here are some common activities and their past tense forms in the yo form:
- Ver (to see): Vi (I saw)
- Ir (to go): Fui (I went)
- Hacer (to do/make): Hice (I did/made)
- Comer (to eat): Comí (I ate)
- Dormir (to sleep): Dormí (I slept)
Now, let’s put these into sentences:
- Yo vi una película ayer. (I watched a movie yesterday.)
- Yo fui al gimnasio ayer. (I went to the gym yesterday.)
- Yo hice la cena ayer. (I made dinner yesterday.)
- Yo comí tacos ayer. (I ate tacos yesterday.)
- Yo dormí mucho ayer. (I slept a lot yesterday.)
Feel free to mix and match these verbs with different activities to describe your day. You can also add adverbs to give more detail. For example, “Yo dormí profundamente ayer” (I slept deeply yesterday).
Adding Details and Context
To really engage your listener, add some juicy details! Who were you with? Where did you go? How did you feel? Here are some phrases to help you add context:
- Con (with): Yo salí con mis amigos ayer. (I went out with my friends yesterday.)
- En (in/at): Yo trabajé en casa ayer. (I worked at home yesterday.)
- Porque (because): Yo dormí mucho porque estaba cansado. (I slept a lot because I was tired.)
- Para (for/to): Yo estudié para el examen ayer. (I studied for the exam yesterday.)
Combine these with your activities for more interesting sentences:
- Yo fui al parque con mi perro ayer. (I went to the park with my dog yesterday.)
- Yo cociné en la cocina ayer porque quería comer algo rico. (I cooked in the kitchen yesterday because I wanted to eat something delicious.)
By adding these details, you're not just listing activities; you're telling a story! This makes your conversations way more engaging and helps you connect with the people you're talking to.
Example Conversations
Let's put it all together with a couple of example conversations. These will show you how the questions and answers flow in real-life scenarios. Practice these with a friend to get even more comfortable!
Conversation 1: Casual Chat with a Friend
María: ¡Hola, Juan! ¿Qué hiciste ayer?
Juan: ¡Hola, María! Yo fui al cine ayer. Vi una película de acción muy buena.
María: ¡Qué bien! ¿Con quién fuiste?
Juan: Fui con mi hermano. Después, comimos pizza.
María: Suena divertido. Yo estudié para el examen de matemáticas todo el día.
Juan: ¡Qué aburrido! Pero es importante.
Translation:
María: Hi, Juan! What did you do yesterday?
Juan: Hi, Maria! I went to the cinema yesterday. I watched a very good action movie.
María: That's great! Who did you go with?
Juan: I went with my brother. Afterwards, we ate pizza.
María: Sounds fun. I studied for the math exam all day.
Juan: How boring! But it's important.
Conversation 2: Formal Conversation with a Colleague
Señor López: Buenos días, Señora Pérez. ¿Qué hizo usted ayer?
Señora Pérez: Buenos días, Señor López. Ayer, trabajé en la oficina hasta tarde. Tuve muchas reuniones.
Señor López: Entiendo. Yo también estuve ocupado. Preparé una presentación para hoy.
Señora Pérez: Espero que le vaya bien con la presentación.
Señor López: Gracias, Señora Pérez.
Translation:
Mr. Lopez: Good morning, Mrs. Perez. What did you do yesterday?
Mrs. Perez: Good morning, Mr. Lopez. Yesterday, I worked in the office until late. I had many meetings.
Mr. Lopez: I understand. I was also busy. I prepared a presentation for today.
Mrs. Perez: I hope it goes well with the presentation.
Mr. Lopez: Thank you, Mrs. Perez.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with these phrases under your belt, there are a few common mistakes that Spanish learners often make. Being aware of these will help you avoid them and sound more natural.
Using the Wrong Verb Tense
One of the biggest challenges is using the correct past tense. In Spanish, there are several past tenses, but for talking about specific events that happened yesterday, you'll generally use the preterite tense. Make sure you're conjugating your verbs correctly in this tense. For example, remember that it's “Yo comí” (I ate), not “Yo como” (I eat, present tense).
Forgetting the Inverted Question Mark
In Spanish, questions start with an inverted question mark (¿). Forgetting this is a common mistake, especially for English speakers. Always remember to add it at the beginning of your question: ¿Qué hiciste ayer?
Mixing Up Tú and Usted
Knowing when to use tú and usted can be tricky. Remember, tú is for informal situations with people you're close to, while usted is for formal situations and showing respect. Using the wrong one can come across as either too informal or too disrespectful.
Neglecting Details
While it's important to get the basic phrases right, don't forget to add details to make your conversations more interesting. Instead of just saying “Yo trabajé ayer,” add where you worked, who you were with, or how you felt. This will make your Spanish sound more natural and engaging.
Practice Exercises
Alright, it’s time to put your new knowledge to the test! Here are a few practice exercises to help you solidify your understanding.
Translate the Following Sentences
- What did you do yesterday? (informal)
- I went to the beach yesterday.
- Did you study yesterday? (formal)
- I cooked dinner with my family yesterday.
- What did you all do yesterday? (Spain)
Answer the Following Questions in Spanish
- ¿Qué hiciste ayer?
- ¿Fuiste a algún lugar interesante ayer?
- ¿Con quién pasaste el día ayer?
- ¿Trabajaste o estudiaste ayer?
- ¿Qué comiste ayer?
Create a Short Dialogue
Write a short dialogue between two friends discussing what they did yesterday. Use the phrases and vocabulary you’ve learned in this article.
Conclusion
So there you have it! You're now equipped with the phrases and knowledge to ask "What did you do yesterday?" in Spanish and share your own activities. Whether you’re chatting with friends, colleagues, or new acquaintances, these skills will help you communicate effectively and confidently. Remember to practice, pay attention to the details, and don't be afraid to make mistakes – that's how you learn! Keep practicing, and you'll be a Spanish conversation pro in no time. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
