A close-up illustration of a single, warm chocolate chip cookie sitting on a metal cooling rack. A small wisp of steam gently rises from the cookie, indicating it was just baked.

recién

rreh-SYEHN

adverbB1

just?before a past participle or adjective,newly?describing status or condition

Also:recently?when used in place of 'recientemente'

📝 In Action

El bebé recién nacido duerme mucho.

The newborn baby sleeps a lot.

Esta es la nueva oficina de la empresa recién inaugurada.

This is the company's new, newly inaugurated office.

Los recién llegados deben registrarse en la recepción.

The people who just arrived must register at the front desk.

Word Connections

Synonyms

recientemente (recently)
acabar de (to have just done something)

Common Collocations

recién casado – newlywed
recién hecho – newly made / just done

💡 Grammar Points

Placement Rule

Unlike the longer adverb 'recientemente,' 'recién' almost always goes immediately before the word it modifies, usually a past participle (like 'llegado' or 'hecho').

Shortened Form

'Recién' is a shorter form of 'recientemente.' While 'recientemente' can be used anywhere, 'recién' is usually reserved for descriptions (like 'recién cocinado').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using it with simple verbs

Mistake: "Yo recién comí. (Incorrect in standard Spanish, although common regionally.)"

Correction: Yo comí recientemente. OR Mejor: Acabo de comer. (Use 'acabar de' for the sense of 'I just ate.')

⭐ Usage Tips

Focus on the Result

Use 'recién' to emphasize that a state or condition (like being cooked, painted, or married) is very new and fresh.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: recién

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'recién' in standard Spanish?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

reciente(recent) - adjective

recientemente(recently) - adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'recién' and 'recientemente'?

They both mean 'recently,' but 'recién' is a shortened form used almost exclusively right before a word that describes a new state (like 'recién pintado'—newly painted). 'Recientemente' is the full adverb form and can be placed more flexibly in the sentence, often next to the main verb.

Can I use 'recién' instead of 'acabar de'?

In most standard Spanish usage, when you want to say 'I just did something' (referring to a recent action), you should use the phrase 'acabar de' + the infinitive verb (e.g., 'Acabo de llegar' / I just arrived). While some regions do use 'recién' with a simple verb, 'acabar de' is universally understood and safer.