What is the difference between "hicieron", "hicieran" in Spanish?

The English phrase 'they did' can be translated into Spanish in a few ways, depending on the context. The main difference lies in whether the action was a confirmed past event or a hypothetical or uncertain one.

How to Say "they did" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “they did” is “hicieron” — use 'hicieron' when referring to a completed, factual action that 'they' performed in the past..

hicieron🔊A2

Use 'hicieron' when referring to a completed, factual action that 'they' performed in the past.

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hicieran🔊B1

Use 'hicieran' when the action 'they did' is hypothetical, uncertain, or part of a wish or doubt in the past.

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English → Spanish

hicieron

/ee-SYEH-ron//iˈsjeɾon/

VerbA2General

Use 'hicieron' when referring to a completed, factual action that 'they' performed in the past.

Two children sitting at a wooden table in a bright room, smiling and putting away their school supplies, having completed their homework.

Examples

Ellos hicieron la tarea juntos.

They did the homework together.

¿Qué hicieron ustedes el fin de semana?

What did you all do over the weekend?

Los atletas hicieron un gran esfuerzo.

The athletes made a great effort.

A Key Past Tense Form

'Hicieron' comes from the verb 'hacer' and talks about a completed action in the past. Think of it as the Spanish way to say 'they did' or 'you all did' for something that has a clear end.

Who are 'they'?

This form works for three groups: 'ellos' (a group of men, or mixed gender), 'ellas' (a group of women), and 'ustedes' (a group of people you'd speak to formally, like 'you all').

Confusing with 'hacían'

Mistake: “Usé el teléfono cuando ellos hacían la cena.”

Correction: Usé el teléfono cuando ellos hicieron la cena. Use 'hicieron' for a single, completed action (they finished making dinner). Use 'hacían' if you mean they were in the middle of making it ('I used the phone while they were making dinner').

See full entry for “hicieron” →

hicieran

ee-SEE-eh-ran/iˈθjeɾan/

VerbB1General

Use 'hicieran' when the action 'they did' is hypothetical, uncertain, or part of a wish or doubt in the past.

Two simplified figures standing next to a perfectly stacked pile of colorful blocks, symbolizing a completed action or task.

Examples

Esperaba que mis amigos hicieran la tarea antes de salir.

I hoped that my friends would do the homework before going out.

Si ustedes hicieran ejercicio, se sentirían mejor.

If you (formal plural) exercised, you would feel better.

Era necesario que los estudiantes hicieran el examen ayer.

It was necessary that the students take the exam yesterday.

What 'Hicieran' Means

'Hicieran' is the past form of the verb 'hacer' (to do/make) used when the action is uncertain, desired, or hypothetical. It refers to 'they' or 'you plural (ustedes)'.

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

You need this special verb form after a main verb expressing emotion, doubt, or necessity (like 'quería que...' or 'era importante que...') when the main verb is in the past.

Using the wrong mood

Mistake: “Quería que ellos *hicieron* la comida. (Using the Preterite Indicative)”

Correction: Quería que ellos *hicieran* la comida. (Using the Imperfect Subjunctive is required after verbs of desire in the past.)

See full entry for “hicieran” →

Factual vs. Hypothetical Past

The most common mistake is using 'hicieron' (factual past) when the context requires 'hicieran' (hypothetical/uncertain past). Always consider if the action was definitively completed or if it was a possibility, a wish, or a condition.

Related Translations

they caused→they created→they built→they made→they performed→they prepared→

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