A2.1 · Week 4About 60 minutes · Audio throughout

How Things Used to Be

Antes y ahora

Describing past habits, routines, and how people and places used to be.

After this lesson, you'll be able to

Describe past habits and routines using the imperfect
Describe what people and places looked like in the past
Compare how things were then vs now (antes... ahora...)

Stage 1

Week 1: What Did You Do?
Week 2: A Terrible Day
Week 3: When I Was Young
Week 4: How Things Used to Be (this lesson)
Week 5: What Happened While...
Week 6: At the Doctor's
Week 7: I Bought It for Her
Week 8: Can You Tell Me?
Week 9: Bigger, Better, Best
Week 10: My Neighbourhood
Week 11: Telling a Story
Week 12: Review & Assessment

Week 4 of 12

Next lesson: Week 5: What Happened While... →

Grammar focus

Essential grammar for this lesson with examples.

Grammar point 1 of 6

Imperfect for habitual actions

In Week 3 you learned how to form the imperfect tense. Now let's focus on when to use it. The most common use is to talk about things that used to happen regularly in the past - habits, routines, and repeated actions.

Certain time expressions are strong clues that you need the imperfect. When you see todos los días (every day), siempre (always), normalmente (normally), a menudo (often), or cada semana (every week), the imperfect is almost always the right choice.

Think of it this way: if you can say "used to" or "would (habitually)" in English, use the imperfect in Spanish.

Imperfect Habit Triggers

Spanish	English
todos los días	every day
siempre	always
normalmente	normally
a menudo	often
generalmente	generally
cada semana / mes / año	every week / month / year
los lunes / los martes...	on Mondays / on Tuesdays...
por la mañana / tarde / noche	in the morning / afternoon / evening

Examples

Todos los días caminaba al trabajo.Every day I used to walk to work.

Siempre desayunábamos juntos.We always used to have breakfast together.

Normalmente llegaba a las ocho.I normally used to arrive at eight.

Cada verano íbamos a la playa.Every summer we used to go to the beach.

A menudo visitaba a mis primos.I often used to visit my cousins.

Tip

If the action was a habit or routine in the past - something that happened again and again - you need the imperfect. These time expressions are your biggest clues!

Grammar point 2 of 6

Imperfect for descriptions - people & places

The imperfect is essential for describing what people, places, and things were like in the past. You're not talking about events that happened - you're painting a picture of how things were.

The most common verbs for descriptions in the imperfect are:
- ser - what someone/something was like (personality, identity, characteristics)
- tener - what someone had (age, physical features, possessions)
- estar - how someone felt or where something was located
- haber (había) - what there was / there were
- llevar - what someone was wearing
- parecer - what something seemed like

Examples

Mi abuela era una mujer muy generosa.My grandmother was a very generous woman.

La casa tenía un jardín enorme con flores.The house had an enormous garden with flowers.

El pueblo era pequeño y tranquilo.The town was small and quiet.

Mi abuelo llevaba siempre un sombrero.My grandfather always wore a hat.

Había una fuente en la plaza del pueblo.There was a fountain in the town square.

Tip

When you describe a scene, a person, or a place in the past, think of it as a painting, not an action. Paintings don't move - they show what things were like. That's the imperfect.

Grammar point 3 of 6

Imperfect for weather & time

When you describe what the weather was like or what time it was in the past, you normally use the imperfect. These are descriptions of background conditions, not events.

Weather uses hacer in the imperfect:
- hacía calor - it was hot
- hacía frío - it was cold
- hacía sol - it was sunny
- hacía viento - it was windy

For rain and snow, use llover and nevar:
- llovía - it was raining
- nevaba - it was snowing

For time, use ser in the imperfect:
- era la una - it was one o'clock
- eran las tres - it was three o'clock

Weather in the Imperfect

Spanish	English
hacía calor	it was hot
hacía frío	it was cold
hacía sol	it was sunny
hacía viento	it was windy
hacía buen/mal tiempo	the weather was good/bad
llovía	it was raining
nevaba	it was snowing
estaba nublado	it was cloudy

Examples

Hacía mucho calor en verano.It was very hot in summer.

Siempre llovía en noviembre.It always rained in November.

Eran las tres de la tarde.It was three in the afternoon.

Hacía un día precioso.It was a beautiful day.

Era medianoche y nevaba.It was midnight and it was snowing.

Tip

Notice that for time, you use "era" for 1 o'clock (singular) but "eran" for all other hours (plural): era la una, eran las dos, eran las cinco.

Grammar point 4 of 6

Imperfect for age & feelings

To talk about how old someone was in the past, use tener in the imperfect. To talk about how someone felt, use estar in the imperfect.

Remember:
- tener + años = age (not ser!)
- estar + adjective = how someone is or feels (a state)
- sentirse = to feel (reflexive, also common for emotions)

Examples

Yo tenía diez años cuando nos mudamos.I was ten years old when we moved.

Mi hermana tenía cinco años.My sister was five years old.

Estaba muy contento en aquel pueblo.I was very happy in that town.

Mis padres estaban orgullosos.My parents were proud.

Siempre tenía hambre después del colegio.I was always hungry after school.

Tip

Remember the "tener expressions" from A1: tener hambre (hungry), tener sed (thirsty), tener sueño (sleepy), tener miedo (afraid). In the past, all these use tenía: "Siempre tenía sueño por la mañana."

Grammar point 5 of 6

Antes vs ahora - comparing past and present

A very useful pattern is comparing how things used to be (antes - before/in the past) with how they are now (ahora - now). This lets you show the contrast between past habits or descriptions and the present reality.

The structure is simple:
- Antes + imperfect ... ahora + present
- Antes + imperfect ... hoy en día + present

This pattern works beautifully with descriptions of places, routines, and lifestyle changes.

Past vs Present Expressions

Spanish	English
antes	before / in the past
en aquella época	in those days / at that time
en los años 90 / 80...	in the 90s / 80s...
cuando era joven	when I was young
ahora	now
hoy en día	nowadays
actualmente	currently
ya no	no longer / not anymore

Examples

Antes vivíamos en el campo. Ahora vivimos en la ciudad.Before, we used to live in the countryside. Now we live in the city.

Antes no había internet. Ahora todo el mundo está conectado.Before, there was no internet. Now everyone is connected.

Antes la gente caminaba más. Hoy en día todos van en coche.Before, people used to walk more. Nowadays everyone goes by car.

Antes el barrio era tranquilo. Ahora es muy ruidoso.Before, the neighbourhood was quiet. Now it's very noisy.

Antes cocinábamos en casa. Ahora pedimos comida a domicilio.Before, we used to cook at home. Now we order delivery food.

Tip

The "antes... ahora..." pattern is incredibly useful in conversation. It's a natural way to talk about changes over time - in your life, your city, or the world.

Grammar point 6 of 6

Putting it all together - setting the scene

When you want to describe a complete scene from the past - a place, the people, the atmosphere - you combine all the uses of the imperfect you've learned:

1. Descriptions (ser, tener, haber) - what things were like
2. Weather/time (hacer, ser) - the conditions
3. Habitual actions - what people used to do
4. Age/feelings (tener, estar) - how people felt

This is like painting a picture with words. Everything is in the imperfect because you're describing a scene, not narrating events.

Examples

Era un pueblo pequeño. Había una iglesia y una plaza.It was a small town. There was a church and a square.

Los vecinos se conocían y se ayudaban.The neighbours knew each other and helped each other.

Hacía calor, eran las cinco y los niños jugaban en la calle.It was hot, it was five o'clock, and the children were playing in the street.

Mi abuela tenía setenta años pero estaba llena de energía.My grandmother was seventy but she was full of energy.

Tip

When you tell a story, the imperfect paints the background: "Era de noche. Llovía. Yo estaba solo en casa..." Next week you'll learn how the preterite enters the scene with specific events!

Conversation

Conversation example

Ana and Pablo are looking at old photos and comparing how their cities used to be with how they are now. Ana talks about how Guadalajara has changed, and Pablo shares memories of old Madrid.

PabloMira esta foto, Ana. Es del centro de Madrid en los años 90. Era muy diferente.Look at this photo, Ana. It's from central Madrid in the 90s. It was very different.
Ana¡Qué interesante! ¿Cómo era Madrid antes?How interesting! What was Madrid like before?
PabloEl barrio donde vivíamos era muy tranquilo. Había tiendas pequeñas y todos los vecinos se conocían.The neighbourhood where we lived was very quiet. There were small shops and all the neighbours knew each other.
AnaEn Guadalajara pasaba lo mismo. Antes no había tantos coches. La gente caminaba o iba en autobús.In Guadalajara it was the same. Before, there weren't so many cars. People walked or took the bus.
Pablo¡Sí! Y los domingos, mi familia siempre paseaba por el Parque del Retiro. Hacía sol y mi padre compraba helados.Yes! And on Sundays, my family always used to stroll through Retiro Park. It was sunny and my father used to buy ice cream.
Ana¡Qué bonito! Nosotros íbamos al mercado de San Juan de Dios. Mi mamá compraba fruta fresca y mi abuela hacía agua de jamaica.How lovely! We used to go to the San Juan de Dios market. My mum bought fresh fruit and my grandmother made agua de jamaica (hibiscus water).
PabloAhora todo es diferente. Antes había mercados pequeños. Ahora hay grandes supermercados por todas partes.Now everything is different. Before, there were small markets. Now there are big supermarkets everywhere.
AnaEs verdad. Antes la gente charlaba en la plaza por la tarde. Ahora todos miran el teléfono.That's true. Before, people used to chat in the square in the afternoon. Now everyone looks at their phone.
PabloPero también hay cosas buenas. Antes no había metro en muchas zonas. Ahora es más fácil moverse por la ciudad.But there are good things too. Before, there was no metro in many areas. Now it's easier to get around the city.
AnaSí, tienes razón. Guadalajara ahora tiene una línea nueva de tren ligero. Las ciudades cambian, pero los recuerdos son para siempre.Yes, you're right. Guadalajara now has a new light rail line. Cities change, but memories are forever.
PabloTotalmente de acuerdo. Antes era diferente, pero ahora también tiene cosas bonitas.Totally agree. Before it was different, but now it also has beautiful things.

Culture

Changing cities - modernisation vs tradition

Across the Spanish-speaking world, cities and towns have changed dramatically in recent decades. In Spain, rapid modernisation since the 1980s transformed many areas - old markets became shopping centres, narrow streets were widened for traffic, and traditional neighbourhood shops were replaced by chain shops. Many Spaniards have strong memories of a more community-focused way of life. In Mexico, cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City have seen enormous growth. Traditional mercados (markets) still exist alongside modern supermarkets, and many families make a point of visiting them for fresh produce, keeping old habits alive. The concept of "la plaza" - the central square where people gather to socialise - remains important in smaller towns, even as bigger cities modernise. In Colombia, cities have also undergone remarkable transformations: Medellín has added a metro and cable cars, and Bogotá its TransMilenio bus network and the TransMiCable cable car, along with new parks and public libraries. Yet neighbourhoods often preserve their character - small tiendas de barrio (corner shops) coexist with modern shops. This tension between "lo antiguo" (the old) and "lo moderno" (the modern) is a common topic of conversation. Older generations often say "antes era mejor" (it was better before), while younger people appreciate modern conveniences. The reality is that both perspectives have value - modernisation brings comfort and opportunity, but traditional community ties and customs are worth preserving too.

Want to learn more?

Vocabulary

Key words and phrases for this lesson.

Past routines & daily life

la rutinaroutine
la costumbrecustom / habit
la tradicióntradition
el hábitohabit
madrugarto get up early
acostarseto go to bed
desayunarto have breakfast
almorzarto have lunchIn most of Spain, lunch is comer / la comida; almorzar is lunch in Latin America and some regions (in many parts of Spain it is a mid-morning snack)
cenarto have dinner
pasearto go for a walk / stroll
reunirseto get together / meet up
charlarto chat

Describing places & changes

el barrioneighbourhood
el pueblotown / village
la plazasquare / plaza
la fuentefountain
la iglesiachurch
el mercadomarket
el campocountryside
tranquilo/aquiet / peaceful
ruidoso/anoisy
moderno/amodern
antiguo/aold / ancient
acogedor/acosy / welcoming

Time expressions - past vs present

antesbefore / in the past
ahoranow
hoy en díanowadays
en aquella épocain those days / at that time
actualmentecurrently
ya nono longer / not anymore
todavíastill
como anteslike before
en los años 90in the 90s
hace muchos añosmany years ago

Traditions & community

la fiesta del pueblothe town festival
el vecino / la vecinaneighbour
la comunidadcommunity
celebrarto celebrate
compartirto share
conocerseto know each other
ayudarseto help each other
la vida cotidianadaily life / everyday life

Practice

Test your understanding with these exercises.

Exercise 1 of 5 · Matching

Match each "antes" sentence with the correct "ahora" sentence:

Spanish

English

Exercise 2 of 5 · Fill in the blanks

Complete each sentence with the correct imperfect form of the verb in brackets:

Antes, mi abuela pan fresco todos los días. (hacer)
En aquella época, no supermercados en el pueblo. (haber)
Mi abuelo siempre un sombrero negro. (llevar)
Los vecinos se y se ayudaban. (conocer)
Antes nosotros al parque los domingos. (ir)
las cinco de la tarde. (ser)
Aquel día mucho calor. (hacer)

Exercise 3 of 5 · Multiple choice

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence:

1. Antes, mi pueblo _____ muy tranquilo.
2. Cuando yo _____ diez años, vivíamos en el campo.
3. Cuando yo era pequeño, mi madre _____ todos los días a las seis de la mañana.
4. En los años 80, no _____ teléfonos móviles.
5. Antes la gente _____ más en la calle. Ahora todos están en casa.

Exercise 4 of 5 · Fill in the blanks

Complete these "antes vs ahora" comparisons using the imperfect or the present:

Antes las calles tranquilas. Ahora son ruidosas. (ser - imperfect)
Antes yo mucho. Ahora siempre voy en coche. (caminar - imperfect)
Antes un cine en la plaza. Ahora ya no hay. (haber - imperfect)
Antes los niños en la calle. Ahora juegan en casa. (jugar - imperfect)
Antes la gente cartas. Ahora todos mandan mensajes. (escribir - imperfect)

Exercise 5 of 5 · Reading

Read this description of a town in the past and answer the questions:

Lectura

Mi pueblo se llamaba Villanueva. Era un pueblo pequeño en el sur de España. Tenía unos trescientos habitantes y todos se conocían. Había una iglesia antigua, una plaza con una fuente, y un mercado donde la gente compraba fruta, verduras y pan fresco.

Antes, la vida era muy diferente. Los vecinos siempre charlaban en la plaza por la tarde. Los niños jugaban al fútbol en la calle y las abuelas se sentaban en la puerta de sus casas. Hacía mucho calor en verano y todos los vecinos sacaban sillas a la calle por la noche para tomar el fresco.

Ahora el pueblo es muy diferente. Hay un supermercado grande, pero ya no hay mercado. Las calles están vacías por la tarde porque la gente prefiere estar en casa con el aire acondicionado. Los jóvenes se fueron a la ciudad a buscar trabajo. Antes vivíamos trescientas personas allí; ahora solo quedan unas cien.

1. How many people lived in Villanueva before?
2. What was in the town square?
3. What did neighbours use to do in the afternoons?
4. What did people do on summer nights?
5. Why did young people leave the town?

Listening practice

ConversationElementaryElenaCarlos

La rutina de la abuela de Elena

Elena's Grandmother's Routine

Tip: If you need help, review the questions first, use the slow speed option, and check the transcript.

0:00 / 0:00

ShowHide Transcript

Show English translations

CarlosElena, me dijiste que tu abuela tenía unas costumbres muy interesantes. ¿Cómo era su rutina?Elena, you told me your grandmother had some very interesting habits. What was her routine like?
Elena¡Sí! Mi abuela se llamaba Dorotea. Cuando yo era niña, iba a su casa todos los fines de semana.Yes! My grandmother was called Dorotea. When I was a child, I used to go to her house every weekend.
Carlos¿Y qué hacía ella todos los días?And what did she do every day?
ElenaMadrugaba mucho. Siempre se levantaba a las cinco de la mañana. Decía que la mañana era el mejor momento del día.She got up very early. She always used to wake up at five in the morning. She used to say that the morning was the best time of day.
Carlos¡A las cinco! ¡Eso es muy temprano!At five! That's very early!
ElenaSí. Preparaba café colombiano y se sentaba en el patio. Hacía fresco a esa hora y se escuchaban los pájaros.Yes. She would prepare Colombian coffee and sit in the patio. It was cool at that hour and you could hear the birds.
Carlos¡Qué bonito! ¿Y después?How lovely. And afterwards?
ElenaIba al mercado a las siete. Conocía a todos los vendedores. Siempre compraba fruta fresca, yuca y plátanos.She went to the market at seven. She knew all the vendors. She always bought fresh fruit, cassava (yuca) and plantains.
Carlos¿Y por la tarde, qué hacía?And in the afternoon, what did she do?
ElenaPor la tarde cocinaba. Hacía un ajiaco increíble, o arroz con pollo. Toda la casa olía delicioso. ¡Los vecinos siempre decían que tenían envidia!In the afternoon she cooked. She made incredible ajiaco, or rice with chicken. The whole house smelled delicious. The neighbours always said they were envious!

Comprehension questions

Answer all 5 questions based on the conversation.

Question 1
¿A qué hora se levantaba la abuela de Elena?
What time did Elena's grandmother use to wake up?
Question 2
¿Qué hacía la abuela por la mañana temprano?
What did the grandmother do early in the morning?
Question 3
¿Qué compraba en el mercado?
What did she buy at the market?
Question 4
¿Qué cocinaba por la tarde?
What did she cook in the afternoon?
Question 5
¿Qué decían los vecinos?
What did the neighbours say?

Before your next lesson

Review materials

Review lesson vocabulary

Test yourself on this week's vocabulary with interactive flashcards.

Practise this week

Write 5 "antes... ahora..." sentences comparing how your city or neighbourhood has changed
Describe a typical day in your life 10 years ago using the imperfect (at least 8 sentences)
Practise using the imperfect for weather (hacía calor, llovía) and time (eran las tres)
Write a description of a person you remember from childhood using era, tenía, llevaba, and estaba
Use at least 5 different time expressions (antes, en aquella época, todos los días, siempre, normalmente)

Homework

Write a description of your town or neighbourhood from when you were a child (10-12 sentences). Use the imperfect for descriptions (era, tenía, había) and habits (caminaba, jugaba, iba). Then write 3-4 sentences about how it is now using the present tense.
Ask a family member how daily life was different when they were young. Write down 5 things that were different, using the "antes... ahora..." pattern.

Extra practice

Reinforce what you learned this week with these exercises from our site:

Coming Up Next

Next week we'll tackle one of the trickiest topics in Spanish - knowing when to use the preterite vs the imperfect. You'll learn how these two tenses work together to tell stories: the imperfect sets the scene and the preterite tells what happened.

Ready? Start Week 5 now →

Up next · A2.1 Week 5

What Happened While...

Start Week 5