ayer
adverbBeginnerHigh frequency
What does “ayer” mean in English?
yesterday
Example sentences
Hoy, ayer y mañana.
Today, yesterday and tomorrow.
Ayer estudié mucho.
Yesterday I studied a lot.
Antes de ayer.
The day before yesterday.
How to use it
Ayer means 'yesterday'. Adverb. Often paired with preterite tense for past events: 'ayer fui...'
Common mistake
Ayer pairs with preterite tense for completed past actions: 'ayer comí pizza' (preterite), NOT 'ayer como pizza' (present).
Topics
Related Beginner words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish (Butt, Benjamin & Moreira Rodríguez, Routledge), 32.