hasta
/AS-ta/
The path goes 'hasta' (up to) the tree. `Hasta` marks the end point of an action, time, or journey.
hasta (Preposition)
📝 In Action
La biblioteca está abierta hasta las ocho.
A1The library is open until eight o'clock.
Caminamos hasta la playa.
A1We walked as far as the beach.
El ascensor sube hasta el décimo piso.
A2The elevator goes up to the tenth floor.
Puedo contar hasta veinte en español.
A1I can count up to twenty in Spanish.
💡 Grammar Points
Marking the Endpoint
Use 'hasta' to talk about the final limit of something. It can be the end of a period of time, a destination, or the highest number in a range.
Connecting Actions with 'Hasta que'
When you want to say you'll do something until another action happens, you usually add 'que'. For example, 'Espera aquí hasta que yo vuelva' (Wait here until I come back).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'hasta' and 'a'
Mistake: "Voy a la playa."
Correction: Voy hasta la playa. Both can be correct, but they mean slightly different things. 'Voy a la playa' means 'I'm going to the beach.' 'Voy hasta la playa' emphasizes the journey or distance, meaning 'I'm going *as far as* the beach'.
⭐ Usage Tips
From A to B
A very common and useful pattern is 'desde... hasta...' which means 'from... to...'. For example, 'Trabajo desde las 9 hasta las 5' (I work from 9 to 5).
It's surprising that the child can lift the weight. 'Hasta' shows this surprise, meaning '*even* a child can do it'.
hasta (Adverb)
📝 In Action
Todos vinieron a la fiesta, hasta mi jefe.
B1Everyone came to the party, even my boss.
Hasta un niño podría resolver este problema.
B1Even a child could solve this problem.
Limpié toda la casa, ¡hasta las ventanas!
B2I cleaned the whole house, even the windows!
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Hasta' for Surprise
Place 'hasta' right before a person or thing to show that their involvement is unexpected or surprising. It works just like the English word 'even'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Word Order
Mistake: "Un niño hasta podría resolverlo."
Correction: Hasta un niño podría resolverlo. To get the 'even' meaning, 'hasta' almost always comes directly before the surprising thing or person you're talking about.
⭐ Usage Tips
Telling a Better Story
This use of 'hasta' is a fantastic tool for making your Spanish sound more natural and expressive. Use it to highlight the most surprising or extreme part of your story.
'Hasta' is the start of many common goodbyes in Spanish, like '¡Hasta luego!' which means 'See you later!'.
hasta (Interjection / Farewell Phrase)
📝 In Action
Bueno, me voy. ¡Hasta luego!
A1Well, I'm off. See you later!
Nos vemos en la escuela. ¡Hasta mañana!
A1See you at school. See you tomorrow!
Gracias por todo. ¡Hasta pronto!
A1Thanks for everything. See you soon!
¡Hasta la próxima!
A2Until next time!
💡 Grammar Points
Building Your Goodbyes
Think of 'hasta' in these phrases as meaning 'until'. So, 'hasta mañana' is literally 'until tomorrow'. You can create many goodbyes this way: 'hasta el lunes' (until Monday), 'hasta la semana que viene' (until next week).
⭐ Usage Tips
Choosing the Right 'Hasta'
'¡Hasta luego!' is the perfect all-purpose goodbye. Use it when you expect to see the person again, but you're not sure when. '¡Hasta mañana!' is specifically for when you'll see them the next day.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hasta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'hasta' to mean 'even'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'hasta' and 'a' when talking about destinations?
They are often interchangeable, but there's a subtle difference. 'Voy a la playa' simply states your destination ('I'm going to the beach'). 'Voy hasta la playa' emphasizes the journey or the distance covered ('I'm going *all the way* to the beach' or '*as far as* the beach'). 'Hasta' puts more focus on reaching the limit of your travel.
I heard someone in Mexico say 'Cierran hasta las 5' to mean 'They open at 5'. Is that right?
Yes, this is a famous regionalism in Mexico and some other parts of Latin America. In this specific context, 'hasta' can mark the *beginning* of an action, meaning 'not until'. So 'No abrimos hasta las 10' means 'We open at 10'. It can be tricky, so always pay attention to the context! In most of the Spanish-speaking world, it means 'until'.
Is 'hasta la vista' a common thing to say?
While it was made world-famous by the movie 'The Terminator', it's not actually a very common daily farewell. It sounds a bit formal or final, like you don't expect to see the person for a very long time. For everyday goodbyes, it's much more natural to say 'hasta luego', 'hasta pronto', or 'nos vemos'.