Using Hacer que... to Express Actions in Time

The verb hacer can be used in a myriad ways, as you probably have already seen in Spanish. One way to use this verb is by adding it to the conjunction que to express the duration of an action that started in the past, but is continuing to occur into the present.

You can ask someone how long something has been occurring by using one of two phrases: Desde cuándo... and Cuánto tiempo hace que... Notice the following, with the corresponding phrases underlined:

¿Desde cuándo buscas empleo? How long have you been looking for employment?

¿Cuánto tiempo hace que estudias matemáticas? How long have you been studying mathematics?

With these questions, there are two possible ways to format complete answers. First you could use the expression hace + unit of time + que + present tense verb, like this:

Hace dos meses que trabajo en esta oficina. I've been working in this office for two months.

You can also use the expression verb in present tense + desde hace + expression of time. This interesting structure can be observed here:

Hablo español desde hace treinta años. I've been speaking Spanish for thirty years.

We can also express the English word ago by using the abbreviated phrase hacer + expression of time. Check out this example:

Me mudé a esta casa hace quince años. I moved into this house fifteen years ago.

So, employing these phrases you can create a complete dialog, as in the following discourse:

¿Cuánto tiempo hace que vives en Nicaragua? How long have you been living in Nicaragua?
Vivo en Nicaragua desde hace nueve años. I've been living in Nicaragua for nine years.

As we tend to do in English, a lot of Spanish speakers will actually drop most of the expression when replying, so if they were answering your question about living in Nicaragua, it's very common to hear the following:

Hace nueve años. For nine years.


These expressions, although weirdly sounding at first, will become commonplace to the ear as you progress in learning Spanish.

Sigue estudiando,

Professor Joel