una vez
Lemma Details
Translation: once; one time; when; as soon as
Part of Speech: adverbial phrase
Etymology: The phrase 'una vez' combines 'una' (feminine form of 'uno', meaning 'one', from Latin 'unus') and 'vez' (meaning 'time' or 'occasion', from Latin 'vicis' meaning 'change', 'alternation', or 'turn'). The combination creates an expression that literally means 'one time' but functions in various temporal contexts.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Una vez terminé el trabajo, me fui a casa.
Once I finished the work, I went home.
Fui a París una vez.
I went to Paris once.
Una vez que entiendas el concepto, es fácil.
Once you understand the concept, it's easy.
Érase una vez una princesa que vivía en un castillo.
Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived in a castle.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'una' as 'one' and 'vez' as 'visit' or 'time' - so 'una vez' is 'one time' or 'once'
- For the meaning 'when/as soon as', imagine that something happens 'at one time' (una vez) and then something else follows
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is extremely common in Spanish and appears in many contexts, from everyday conversation to storytelling. The expression 'érase una vez' (once upon a time) is the standard opening for fairy tales and children's stories in Spanish-speaking cultures.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Una vez' means 'once' or 'one time', while 'a veces' means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'.
This word:
Fui a Madrid una vez.
I went to Madrid once.
Notes: Both phrases deal with frequency but differ in the number of occurrences they describe.
Mnemonic: 'Una vez' has 'una' (one), so it's about a single occurrence; 'a veces' has a plural 'veces', indicating multiple occurrences.
Explanation: 'Una vez' refers to a single occurrence, while 'de vez en cuando' means 'from time to time' or 'occasionally'.
Confused word:
De vez en cuando como en restaurantes caros.
From time to time I eat at expensive restaurants.
Notes: 'Una vez' is definite and specific, while 'de vez en cuando' implies irregularity and repetition.
Mnemonic: 'De vez en cuando' contains 'cuando' (when), suggesting irregular timing across multiple occasions.