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vez

besbeθ

“vez” means “time” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

time

Also: occasion, instance
NounfA1
A person's finger pointing to the first of three simple icons on a list, signifying the first time or instance.

📝 In Action

Había una vez un rey...

A1

Once upon a time there was a king...

He leído este libro tres veces.

A2

I have read this book three times.

La próxima vez, lo haré mejor.

B1

Next time, I will do it better.

A veces prefiero quedarme en casa.

A2

Sometimes I prefer to stay at home.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • una vez – one time / once
  • otra vez – again / another time
  • a la vez – at the same time
  • de vez en cuando – from time to time / occasionally
  • tal vez – maybe / perhaps

Idioms & Expressions

  • Érase una vez – The classic fairytale opening, just like 'Once upon a time'.
  • De una vez por todas – To do something decisively to end a problem for good.

turn

Also: opportunity
NounfB1
Three people in a line, with the person at the front holding a board game piece, indicating it is their turn to play.

📝 In Action

¿De quién es la vez?

A2

Whose turn is it?

Ahora es mi vez de hablar.

B1

Now it's my turn to speak.

Espera tu vez, por favor.

A2

Wait for your turn, please.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ser la vez de alguien – to be someone's turn
  • ceder la vez – to give up one's turn

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "vez" in Spanish:

instance→occasion→opportunity→time→turn→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vez

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'vez' to mean 'turn'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
a veces(sometimes) — Adverb
tal vez(maybe, perhaps) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'vix' (genitive 'vicis'), which meant 'a turn,' 'a change,' or 'an occasion.' Over time, its meaning focused on the idea of a single instance or occurrence.

First recorded: Around the 10th century.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: vezCatalan: vegadaFrench: fois

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it 'una vez' and not 'un vez'?

Because the noun 'vez' is feminine in Spanish. Just like you say 'una casa' (a house), you have to say 'una vez' (one time). This applies to all numbers ending in 'one', like 'veintiuna veces' (21 times).

What's the difference between 'otra vez' and 'de nuevo'?

They both mean 'again' and are often interchangeable. 'Otra vez' is slightly more common in everyday conversation and literally means 'another time.' 'De nuevo' can sometimes sound a tiny bit more formal, meaning 'anew' or 'from the start.'