eché
/eh-CHAY/
I threw
The action of tossing or hurling an object, like saying 'I threw the ball.'
eché(Verb)
I threw
?physical movement, tossing
,I tossed
?light throw
I cast
?a net or line
📝 In Action
Me molestó el ruido y eché la botella a la basura.
A2The noise bothered me and I threw the bottle in the trash.
Eché la red al mar y esperé.
B1I cast the net into the sea and waited.
💡 Grammar Points
The Simple Past ('Pretérito')
'Eché' tells you that the action started and finished completely in the past, like a quick completed event.
⭐ Usage Tips
Accent Mark is Key
The accent mark on the 'e' in 'eché' is essential! Without it ('eche'), it would be the present subjunctive form (I might throw, or that I throw).
Depicting the transfer of liquid, or 'I poured water into the glass.'
📝 In Action
Eché tres cucharadas de azúcar al café.
A2I added three spoonfuls of sugar to the coffee.
Cuando hirvió el agua, eché la pasta.
B1When the water boiled, I put in the pasta.
💡 Grammar Points
Adding Ingredients
In Spanish, 'echar' is often the verb of choice for adding small amounts of things like salt, sugar, or oil when cooking, much like 'to put in' or 'to add'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Poner' for Liquids
Mistake: "Puse agua en la taza. (I put water in the cup.)"
Correction: Eché agua en la taza. (I poured/added water to the cup.) 'Poner' works, but 'echar' is more natural for the act of pouring.
This meaning refers to expelling or removing someone, such as 'I kicked him out of the house.'
eché(Verb)
I kicked out
?expelling someone
,I fired
?dismissing from a job
I expelled
?formal removal
📝 In Action
No toleré su mala actitud y lo eché de la casa.
B1I didn't tolerate his bad attitude and I kicked him out of the house.
Eché a mi empleado por llegar tarde tres veces.
B2I fired my employee for arriving late three times.
💡 Grammar Points
Action vs. Result
Remember 'eché' describes the single, finished action of removal. If you wanted to say 'I was firing him' (ongoing), you would use the imperfect: 'Yo echaba'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
subjunctive
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: eché
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation of 'eché' is correct in the sentence: 'Eché a mi vecino del jardín.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'eché' different from 'eche'?
'Eché' (with the accent) is the simple past ('I threw/poured/etc.'). 'Eche' (without the accent) is the present subjunctive form, used for wishes or commands, meaning 'that I throw' or 'he/she/it throws' (as a command).
Can I use 'eché' when I mean 'I missed' someone?
Yes, but only as part of the fixed phrase 'Eché de menos a mi familia' (I missed my family). You cannot use 'eché' by itself to mean 'missed'.