Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Recently in Spanish: Recientemente
Recientemente · adverb · reh-syehn-teh-MEHN-teh
Recientemente is the direct Spanish equivalent of 'recently,' used to describe events that happened in the near past. The colloquial alternative hace poco is extremely common in spoken Spanish and feels more natural in casual conversation. Últimamente overlaps but leans toward 'lately' for ongoing or repeated situations.
The word has five syllables: reh-syehn-teh-MEHN-teh. Stress falls on the fourth syllable. In rapid speech, many speakers shorten it slightly, which is why hace poco often wins out in conversation.
Recientemente empecé un nuevo trabajo.
I recently started a new job.
recently in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for recently, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| recientemente | recently | reh-syehn-teh-MEHN-teh | Default, widely understood |
| hace poco | recently | informal, very common in conversation | |
| últimamente | recently | closer to 'lately' for ongoing situations |
How Native Speakers Use Recientemente
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
completed action
Recientemente terminamos la renovación del baño.
We recently finished the bathroom renovation.
Recientemente pairs naturally with preterite tense for completed events.
casual speech
Hace poco descubrí una cafetería increíble cerca de mi oficina.
I recently discovered an amazing café near my office.
Hace poco is the go-to choice in relaxed conversation.
ongoing trend
Últimamente he estado durmiendo muy mal por el estrés.
Recently I've been sleeping very poorly because of stress.
Últimamente works with present perfect for ongoing states.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Recientemente
placement error
Incorrect: Empecé recientemente un nuevo trabajo recientemente.
Correct: Recientemente empecé un nuevo trabajo.
Placing the adverb at both the beginning and end creates awkward redundancy — choose one position, typically at the start or end of the clause.
últimamente with preterite
Incorrect: Últimamente compré un coche nuevo.
Correct: Recientemente compré un coche nuevo.
Últimamente implies an ongoing or repeated timeframe and pairs with present perfect or present tense, not a single completed action in the preterite.
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Common Questions About recently in Spanish
- Can I shorten recientemente to recién?
- In Latin America, recién is widely used as a shortened form meaning 'just now' or 'recently,' as in 'recién llegué' (I just arrived). In Spain, recién typically only appears before past participles like 'recién nacido' (newborn).
- Is hace poco one word or two?
- Hace poco is always written as two separate words — hace (the verb 'hacer' conjugated) plus poco (a little). Together they form an adverbial phrase meaning 'a short time ago.'
- What tense pairs best with recientemente?
- Recientemente works with both the preterite (for single completed actions) and the present perfect (for actions with present relevance). The choice depends on whether you view the event as closed or still connected to now.