nací
“nací” means “I was born” in Spanish (Stating one's birthplace or date of birth).
I was born
📝 In Action
Yo nací en 1995.
A1I was born in 1995.
Nací en Madrid, pero crecí en Barcelona.
A2I was born in Madrid, but I grew up in Barcelona.
Cuando nací, mis padres vivían en una casa pequeña.
B1When I was born, my parents lived in a small house.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: nací
Question 1 of 1
Which of these sentences correctly uses 'nací'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology
The Spanish verb 'nacer' comes directly from the Latin verb *nascere*, meaning 'to be born.' This connection shows how fundamental the concept is, having remained nearly unchanged for millennia.
First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it 'nací' and not 'soy nacido'?
In Spanish, the verb 'nacer' (to be born) is usually used in the active voice, like 'I was born,' which translates to the simple past tense 'nací.' We don't typically use the passive structure (like 'I am born') to state our origin.
What is the difference between 'nací' and 'nacía'?
'Nací' is the simple past (Preterite) and describes the single, specific moment you were born. 'Nacía' is the descriptive past (Imperfect) and would mean 'I used to be born' or 'I was being born,' which doesn't make sense for this verb.