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Barcelona: 'desde', 'desde hace' vs 'hace', phrases with 'llevar'
I can understand a range of structures to talk about how long I've been doing something.
Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Barcelona: 'desde', 'desde hace' vs 'hace', phrases with 'llevar'
I can understand a range of structures to talk about how long I've been doing something.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain, and is known for its art and architecture.
- We use 'desde' meaning 'since' with a specific point in time.
- 'Desde hace' means 'for' and it appears together with the present tense to say how long we've been doing something.
- 'Hace' means 'ago' and we use it with the past.
- We use the present tense of 'llevar + time + present participle' to say how long we have been doing something.
Keywords
Desde - since (a point in time)
Desde hace - for (a period of time)
Hace - ago
Llevar+time+present participle - two-verb structure to say how long we have been doing something
Common misconception
I can translate sentences with 'desde hace' word for word.
In Spanish, 'desde hace' appears together with a verbs in the present tense to say how long you've been doing something. We use a different tense in English. 'Vivo aquí desde hace años' - 'I have been living here for years'.
Students could create sentences about their own experiences using 'desde', 'desde hace' and 'hace' to develop their communicative range. Whilst Foundation tier students will not be tested on 'desde hace + present tense' or 'llevar + time + present participle', they may find them useful to learn.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the Spanish and English.
Match the Spanish and English.
Q2.'My older brother is 17'. Choose the correct translation.
'My older brother is 17'. Choose the correct translation.
Mi hermano mayor es diecisiete años.
Mi hermano menor tiene diecisiete años.
Mi hermano mayor tiene dieciséis años.
Mi hermano menor es dieciséis años.
Q3.Order the words to say 'in the afternoon I don't hear anything'.
Order the words to say 'in the afternoon I don't hear anything'.
Q4.Order the words to say: 'he suggests a project and she reads a letter'.
Order the words to say: 'he suggests a project and she reads a letter'.
Q5.Write in Spanish 'I wrote a professional blog'.
Write in Spanish 'I wrote a professional blog'.
Q6.Write in Spanish: 'they stole a bag'.
Write in Spanish: 'they stole a bag'.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'Barcelona is the capital of _____, a region in _____ Spain.' Choose the correct missing words.
'Barcelona is the capital of _____, a region in _____ Spain.' Choose the correct missing words.
Valencia, northwestern
Catalonia, southeastern
Valencia, southwestern
Q2.'Aprendo español dos años'. Choose the correct missing word or phrase.
'Aprendo español dos años'. Choose the correct missing word or phrase.
desde
hace
Q3.Which sentences mean 'I have been studying for a week'?
Which sentences mean 'I have been studying for a week'?
Estudio desde la semana pasada.
Estudié hace una semana.
Q4.Write in Spanish: 'three months ago'.
Write in Spanish: 'three months ago'.
Q5.Write in Spanish: 'I have been living here since Sunday'.
Write in Spanish: 'I have been living here since Sunday'.
Q6.Write in Spanish: 'I have been working for a month'. Use the verb 'llevar'.
Write in Spanish: 'I have been working for a month'. Use the verb 'llevar'.
