A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Last week" in Spanish
Use 'la semana pasada' to talk about events or activities that happened during the previous week.
la semana pasada
lah seh-MAH-nah pah-SAH-dahneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
This is the standard way to refer to the week immediately preceding the current one. Use it when discussing past events, like 'I saw that movie last week' or 'We went to the beach last week'.
Alternatives
- la semana anteriorSlightly more formal, often used in written contexts or more official speech.
- la semana que pasóMore common in some Latin American countries, very similar in meaning.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'pasada' with 'próxima'
'Pasada' means past, while 'próxima' means next; they are opposites.
Using 'la pasada semana'
While understandable, 'la semana pasada' is the much more common and natural word order.
A small cultural note
Spanish speakers generally use this phrase in the same way English speakers use 'last week,' referring to the seven-day period that just ended.
Frequently asked
how to say last week in spanish
The most common way to say 'last week' in Spanish is 'la semana pasada'. This phrase is widely understood across Latin America.
is la semana pasada formal or informal
'La semana pasada' is considered neutral in formality. You can use it in most everyday situations without sounding too casual or too stiff.
what's the difference between la semana pasada and la semana anterior
'La semana pasada' is the most common and natural phrase for 'last week'. 'La semana anterior' is a bit more formal and might be preferred in writing or more official settings.
How would you say 'last week' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'last week' in Spanish is 'la semana pasada'.
What can I say instead of 'last week'?
You can also use 'la semana anterior' which means 'the previous week'.
What's the difference between 'semana' and 'fin de semana'?
'Semana' means 'week', while 'fin de semana' specifically refers to the 'weekend'.
