Inklingo

How to Say "instance" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ejemplo

e-KHEM-ploeˈxemplo

NounA1General
Use 'ejemplo' when you want to provide a specific case or illustration to explain something, like a rule or concept.
A single, bright red apple is sitting on a simple surface, slightly separated from a large group of identical green apples in a wicker basket, demonstrating an example used to illustrate a point.

Examples

No entiendo la regla. ¿Puedes darme un ejemplo?

I don't understand the rule. Can you give me an example?

Me gustan las frutas, por ejemplo, las manzanas y las bananas.

I like fruits, for example, apples and bananas.

El libro está lleno de ejemplos prácticos.

The book is full of practical examples.

Masculine Noun

Even though it doesn't end in '-o' or '-a', 'ejemplo' is a masculine noun. So, you always say 'el ejemplo' (the example) or 'un ejemplo' (an example).

Using 'como' instead of 'por ejemplo'

Mistake: “Me gustan los deportes, como el fútbol.”

Correction: Me gustan los deportes, por ejemplo, el fútbol. While 'como' can mean 'like' or 'as', 'por ejemplo' is the most direct and common way to say 'for example' when listing things.

caso

KA-soˈkaso

NounA2General
Use 'caso' to refer to a particular situation, occurrence, or event, often implying a specific circumstance.
A single, specific moment highlighted by a spotlight, representing one particular instance or situation.

Examples

En ese caso, es mejor no decir nada.

In that case, it's better not to say anything.

Este es un caso muy común en estudiantes de español.

This is a very common case among Spanish students.

Te doy mi número, por si acaso.

I'll give you my number, just in case.

Using 'caso' for 'thing'

Mistake: “Voy a comprar un caso para la cocina.”

Correction: Voy a comprar una cosa para la cocina. 'Caso' refers to a situation or instance, not a physical object. For 'thing', use 'cosa'.

vez

besbeθ

NounA1General
Use 'vez' to indicate a specific time or occasion something happened, often in narrative contexts or to count occurrences.
A person's finger pointing to the first of three simple icons on a list, signifying the first time or instance.

Examples

Había una vez un rey...

Once upon a time there was a king...

He leído este libro tres veces.

I have read this book three times.

La próxima vez, lo haré mejor.

Next time, I will do it better.

Counting with 'Vez'

Unlike the English word 'time', 'vez' is used for counting how many times something happens. Use 'una vez' for 'one time', not 'un vez', because 'vez' is a feminine word.

'Tiempo' vs. 'Vez'

Mistake: “Using 'tiempo' to count occurrences, like 'tres tiempos'.”

Correction: Use 'vez' for counting instances ('tres veces'). Use 'tiempo' for the general concept of time, like 'No tengo tiempo' (I don't have time).

instancia

een-STAHN-syahinsˈtan.sja

NounC1Legal
Use 'instancia' specifically in a legal context to refer to a level or stage in a judicial process.
A series of three stone podiums of increasing heights, representing different levels.

Examples

El caso se resolverá en primera instancia.

The case will be resolved in the first instance (the first level of court).

Elevaremos la queja a las altas instancias del gobierno.

We will take the complaint to the high levels of the government.

No podemos intervenir en esta instancia del proceso.

We cannot intervene at this stage of the process.

Prepositions with Stages

When talking about legal stages, we usually use the preposition 'en' (e.g., 'en primera instancia').

General vs. Legal Contexts

The most common mistake is using 'instancia' outside of its specific legal meaning. Remember that for general examples or situations, 'ejemplo' and 'caso' are almost always the correct choices. 'Instancia' is reserved for court proceedings.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.