Spanish · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Yesterday" in Spanish: ayer
ayer
Yesterday in Spanish is ayer. Pair ayer with the preterite: ayer fui. Anteayer means the day before yesterday.
How to pronounce ayer: audio and sound guideTalking about dinner
Ayer comí tacos.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ayer
Say it
ah-YEHR
/aˈʝeɾ/
ah-YEHR. Stress YEHR. Soft Spanish r at the end.
"Yesterday" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ayer | yesterday The previous calendar day. | The previous calendar day. |
| desde ayer | since yesterday Something that started yesterday. | Something that started yesterday. |
| anteayer | the day before yesterday Two days ago. | Two days ago. |
| ayer por la noche | last night Evening of yesterday. | Evening of yesterday. |
| el de ayer | yesterday's one Referring to something from yesterday. | Referring to something from yesterday. |
How to use ayer in real life
- 1Talking about dinner
Ayer comí tacos.
Yesterday I ate tacos.
Ayer with a past tense.
- 2Feeling sick
Desde ayer tengo fiebre.
I've had a fever since yesterday.
Desde ayer for ongoing start.
- 3Missing a call
Te llamé ayer.
I called you yesterday.
Ayer often goes at the end.
Mistakes English speakers make with ayer
Incorrect: El ayer fui al cine.
Correct: Ayer fui al cine.
Ayer needs no article.
Incorrect: Ayer yo voy al parque.
Correct: Ayer fui al parque.
Ayer needs a past tense, not voy.
Good to know
Good to knowNews and chats often open with ayer plus a past verb. Anteayer is everyday Latin American Spanish for two days ago.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Catching up after a missed call
ChatPal
¿Dónde estuviste ayer?
Where were you yesterday?
You
Ayer estuve en casa.
Yesterday I was at home.
ChatPal
Te llamé dos veces.
I called you twice.
You
Perdón. Ayer no oí el teléfono.
Sorry. Yesterday I didn't hear the phone.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Yesterday" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Yesterday" in Spanish
Does ayer change form?
No. Ayer stays the same.
What tense follows ayer?
Usually the preterite: ayer fui.
How do I say the day before yesterday?
Anteayer.
Is ayer formal or casual?
Neutral. Ayer works with friends and strangers.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- 8 Sentences with Ser in Spanish: Examples and GrammarExplore 8 sentences with ser in spanish covering identity, origin, time, and materials, with translations, grammar tips, and mistakes to avoid.
- 33 in Spanish: How to Say It and Use It NaturallyLearn how to say 33 in Spanish with clear pronunciation, ordinal forms, regional variations, and real example sentences for confident everyday speaking.
