The verb "hacer" in Spanish is quite versatile. It generally means "to do" or "to make," but it can also express other actions or conditions depending on the context. Here are some of the main uses:
Expressing Actions or Tasks
"Hacer" often translates as "to do" or "to make" in sentences related to activities or tasks.
Hago la tarea todos los días. — I do my homework every day.
Ella hace la cena todas las noches. — She makes dinner every night.
Indicating Weather Conditions
Spanish uses "hacer" to describe weather, where English would use "it is."
Hace calor hoy. — It’s hot today.
Hace frío en invierno. — It’s cold in winter.
Time Expressions
"Hacer" is also used to indicate how long something has been happening, often in the structure "hace + time."
Hace dos años que estudio español. — I’ve been studying Spanish for two years.
Hace una semana que no veo a mi amigo. — It’s been a week since I saw my friend.
By practicing these contexts, students can start to get a feel for how "hacer" works in Spanish. The verb's flexibility makes it essential for expressing various actions and situations!