“He comido” or “comí”: today's past
CEFR A2 · part 2
edumaterial's parts within the level. The European framework does not subdivide them.
“Vosotros” or “ustedes”: two systems, both rightRecognising and producing both plural-you systems: “vosotros” with its own verb forms…“Me levanto”: verbs with a pronoun attachedUsing reflexive verbs for daily routine, and the pairs where adding the pronoun changes…“Muy” or “mucho”Using “muy” in front of adjectives and adverbs, and “mucho” with verbs and nouns…“Nadar es sano”: where English says “-ing” and Spanish does notUsing the infinitive where English uses “-ing”: as a subject (“nadar es sano”), after a…“Llevo dos años aquí”: how long you have been doing itSaying how long something has been going on: “vivo aquí desde hace dos años”, “llevo dos…“Ser” or “estar”: two verbs for one “to be”Choosing between “ser” and “estar” in everyday sentences: who you are and what you are…The rule, in three lines
For something finished but still inside today, this week or this year, Spain uses the perfect —hoy he comido paella— and most of Latin America uses the simple past —hoy comí paella. For a closed time —ayer, el año pasado, a date— everybody uses the simple past. Both conventions are correct Spanish; what changes is where the line is drawn.
The usual slip. Assuming the Spanish perfect works exactly like the English one, and using it with ayer or with a date: he comido ayer.
Why it catches you out. English has the same shape — “I have eaten” — and that is precisely the trap, because it does not draw the line in the same place. English refuses “I have seen him yesterday” and so does Spanish, so that half transfers. What does not transfer is today: “did you eat?” this morning is “¿has comido?” in Madrid and “¿comiste?” in Lima.