A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Last year" in Spanish
The Spanish phrase 'el año pasado' is the direct translation for 'last year,' used for past events and timelines.
el año pasado
el AH-nyoh pah-SAH-dohneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when talking about something that happened in the previous year. For example, you might say 'Viajé a México el año pasado' (I traveled to Mexico last year).
Alternatives
- el año anteriorSlightly more formal or used when comparing two specific past years.
- el año que pasóMore common in some regions, particularly in spoken, informal contexts.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'año' with 'ano'
'Año' means 'year' and has an ñ; 'ano' means 'anus'.
Using 'pasado' incorrectly
'Pasado' is an adjective and must agree with the noun; 'año' is masculine, so 'pasado' is correct.
Frequently asked
how to say last year in spanish
The most common way to say 'last year' in Spanish is 'el año pasado'. This phrase is widely understood across all Spanish-speaking regions.
spanish last year vs previous year
'El año pasado' directly translates to 'last year'. 'El año anterior' can also mean 'the previous year' and is sometimes used for more formal comparisons.
el año pasado pronunciation
Pronounce it as 'el AH-nyoh pah-SAH-doh'. The 'ñ' sound is similar to the 'ny' in 'canyon', and the stress is on the second-to-last syllable of 'pasado'.
How do I say last year?
The most common way to say 'last year' in Spanish is 'el año pasado'.
What is another word for last year?
While 'el año pasado' is the most frequent term, you might also hear 'el año anterior' which translates to 'the previous year'.
How do you say 'same as last year'?
To say 'same as last year' in Spanish, you can use the phrase 'igual que el año pasado'.
