from time to time
in Spanishde vez en cuando
/deh vehs ehn KWAN-doh/
This is the most direct and universally understood translation for 'from time to time.' It's a perfect, all-purpose phrase that works in almost any situation.
Just like the circled days on this calendar, 'de vez en cuando' describes things that happen occasionally, without a fixed schedule.
💬Other Ways to Say It
a veces
/ah VEH-sehs/
Literally meaning 'at times,' this is the most common way to say 'sometimes.' It's often used interchangeably with 'de vez en cuando,' though some speakers feel it implies a slightly higher frequency.
ocasionalmente
/oh-kah-see-oh-nahl-MEN-teh/
A direct cognate of 'occasionally.' This is a more formal and precise-sounding alternative.
alguna que otra vez
/ahl-GOO-nah keh OH-trah vehs/
This phrase has a very natural, conversational feel, like saying 'every now and then' or 'every so often.' It implies a somewhat irregular or unpredictable frequency.
de tanto en tanto
/deh TAHN-toh ehn TAHN-toh/
Meaning 'from so much to so much,' this is another great synonym for 'de vez en cuando.' It's a solid, standard alternative.
de cuando en cuando
/deh KWAN-doh ehn KWAN-doh/
A slight variation of the primary phrase with an identical meaning. It can sometimes sound a bit more literary or rhythmic.
cada tanto
/KAH-dah TAHN-toh/
A very common phrase in the Southern Cone of South America meaning 'every so often' or 'once in a while.'
de Pascuas a Ramos
/deh PAHS-kwahs ah RAH-mohs/
An idiomatic expression meaning 'from Easter to Palm Sunday.' Since Palm Sunday is before Easter, it refers to things that happen very rarely, similar to 'once in a blue moon.'
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick comparison to help you choose the best phrase for your situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| de vez en cuando | Neutral | A reliable, all-purpose option for almost any context. | Never, this is always a safe choice. |
| a veces | Neutral | Everyday conversation for 'sometimes'; it's extremely common. | It's slightly less common in very formal writing than 'ocasionalmente'. |
| ocasionalmente | Formal | Professional emails, academic papers, and formal speech. | Casual chats with friends, where it can sound a bit stiff. |
| alguna que otra vez | Informal | Making your casual conversation sound more natural and fluent. | Formal or professional settings. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy. The 'v' in 'vez' is soft, like a 'b' sound ('behs'), which can be a minor challenge for English speakers.
Extremely simple. These are fixed phrases that don't change, so you just need to memorize them as a single unit.
The main nuance is choosing between the formal 'ocasionalmente' and the more common neutral/informal options. Otherwise, usage is straightforward.
Key Challenges:
- Avoiding the common mistake of translating literally to 'de tiempo a tiempo'.
- Remembering the subtle difference in feel between 'a veces' and 'de vez en cuando'.
💡Examples in Action
De vez en cuando, me gusta ir al cine solo para relajarme.
From time to time, I like to go to the movies by myself to relax.
El sistema requiere mantenimiento ocasionalmente para asegurar su buen funcionamiento.
The system occasionally requires maintenance to ensure it functions properly.
No lo veo mucho, pero nos llamamos alguna que otra vez para ponernos al día.
I don't see him much, but we call each other every now and then to catch up.
A veces pienso que deberíamos mudarnos a un lugar más tranquilo.
Sometimes I think we should move to a quieter place.
🌍Cultural Context
Flexibility in Time
Spanish has a rich vocabulary for frequency, reflecting a cultural perspective where time can be more fluid. Phrases like 'de vez en cuando' or 'a veces' capture a sense of occasion that isn't strictly tied to a schedule, which is common in many Spanish-speaking cultures.
The Nuance of 'A Veces'
While 'de vez en cuando' and 'a veces' are largely interchangeable, some native speakers feel a subtle difference. 'A veces' (sometimes) can feel a bit more frequent or regular than 'de vez en cuando' (from time to time/once in a while), which might imply more randomness.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The Literal Translation Trap
Mistake: "Saying 'de tiempo a tiempo'."
Correction: de vez en cuando
Confusing 'Vez' and 'Tiempo'
Mistake: "Using 'tiempo' when you mean an instance or occasion."
Correction: Use 'vez' for occurrences (una vez = one time) and 'tiempo' for the general concept of time or weather.
Overusing Formal Language
Mistake: "Using 'ocasionalmente' in a casual chat with friends."
Correction: Use 'de vez en cuando' or 'a veces' in informal settings.
💡Pro Tips
Start with the Basics
Master 'de vez en cuando' and 'a veces' first. These two expressions will cover 90% of the situations where you need to say 'from time to time' or 'sometimes' and are universally understood.
Sound More Natural with 'Alguna que otra vez'
When you're comfortable with the basics, start sprinkling 'alguna que otra vez' into your casual conversations. It's a small change that can make your Spanish sound much more fluid and native-like.
Listen for Regionalisms
If you're spending time in a specific region, like Argentina, listen for phrases like 'cada tanto.' Adopting local expressions is a fantastic way to connect with people and show you're making an effort to learn their specific way of speaking.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The 'lisp' or 'ceceo' pronunciation is the most distinct feature. The idiomatic 'de Pascuas a Ramos' is also a unique and colorful expression primarily used here.
Mexico
Usage is very standard and aligns with the primary translations. 'De tanto en tanto' is quite common in both spoken and written language.
Argentina
'Cada tanto' is extremely common and a hallmark of the region's dialect (Rioplatense Spanish). Using it will make you sound very local. It feels very natural and is used more frequently than 'de vez en cuando' in casual speech.
💬What Comes Next?
You mention you do something 'de vez en cuando'
¿Ah sí? ¿Y con qué frecuencia?
Oh really? And how often?
Pues, no muy seguido, quizás una vez al mes.
Well, not very often, maybe once a month.
After saying you see a friend 'alguna que otra vez'
¿Cuándo fue la última vez que lo viste?
When was the last time you saw him?
Uf, ya ni me acuerdo. Hace mucho.
Ugh, I don't even remember. A long time ago.
🧠Memory Tricks
This silly visual connects the key sounds 'vez' and 'cuando' to an unusual situation, helping you remember it's for occasional events.
The sound 'veces' is similar to 'faces' in English, creating a simple auditory link to the meaning 'sometimes.'
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the sheer number of common, neutral synonyms in Spanish. English speakers typically default to 'sometimes' or 'occasionally,' whereas Spanish speakers might naturally use 'de vez en cuando,' 'a veces,' 'de tanto en tanto,' or 'alguna que otra vez' in the same conversation for variety.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: A direct, word-for-word translation results in 'de tiempo a tiempo,' which is incorrect in Spanish.
Use instead: Always use 'de vez en cuando' or one of its correct synonyms. The Spanish phrase is built around 'vez' (instance/occasion), not 'tiempo' (time as a concept).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
often
It's the next step up in frequency from 'from time to time'.
rarely
This is the next step down in frequency, helping you build a full spectrum of adverbs.
always
Learning the extremes ('always' and 'never') provides essential conversational tools.
every day
This phrase describes a specific, high frequency and is fundamental for talking about routines.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: from time to time
Question 1 of 3
You are writing a formal report for your boss. Which phrase is most appropriate for 'occasionally'?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'de vez en cuando' and 'a veces'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable. Think of 'a veces' as a perfect match for 'sometimes,' while 'de vez en cuando' is closer to 'from time to time' or 'once in a while.' Some people feel 'a veces' implies slightly more frequency, but in most conversations, you can use either one.
Is it ever okay to say 'de tiempo a tiempo'?
No, you should always avoid it. It's a direct translation from English that is not used in Spanish. Native speakers will understand what you mean, but it will sound incorrect. Stick to 'de vez en cuando' instead.
How would I say 'once in a blue moon' in Spanish?
A great idiomatic equivalent is 'de Pascuas a Ramos,' especially in Spain. A more universal and less idiomatic way to express this would be 'muy de vez en cuando' (very rarely from time to time) or simply 'muy raramente' (very rarely).
Which phrase is the best one to learn first?
Start with 'a veces.' It's short, easy to pronounce, extremely common, and a perfect translation for 'sometimes,' which you'll need constantly. Once you have that down, add 'de vez en cuando' for variety.
Can I use these phrases at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes, absolutely! It's very common to start a sentence with these phrases, usually followed by a comma. For example, 'A veces, prefiero quedarme en casa' (Sometimes, I prefer to stay home) is perfectly correct.
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