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once and Spanish once
In English
once
one time
In Spanish
once
el número 11
Spanish "once" means: eleven
Why they get mixed up Spanish "once" is the number 11. English "once" means "one time." They have no numerical or semantic relation whatsoever. The similarity is purely in spelling.
If you want to say...
- onceuna vez o en cuanto
- elevenonce
- at oncede inmediato
Examples
I only met him once.
Solo lo conocí una vez.
Once a week I go to the gym.
Una vez por semana voy al gimnasio.
Once upon a time, there was a small village.
Había una vez un pequeño pueblo.
Once you finish, call me.
Cuando termines, llámame.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Voy al cine once a la semana.
Correct: Voy al cine una vez a la semana.
Once in Spanish is the number eleven. For one time, use una vez.
Incorrect: Lo vi once, hace mucho.
Correct: Lo vi una vez, hace mucho.
Use una vez for once.
Phrases you will hear
- once upon a timeérase una vez
- once a weekuna vez a la semana
- at oncede inmediato
- once you finishcuando termines
- elevenonce (número)
- eleven o'clocklas once
In a conversation
- A:
I go to the gym once a week.
Voy al gimnasio una vez a la semana.
- B:
Once you start, it's easy.
Cuando empiezas, es fácil.
- A:
It's eleven o'clock. Let's go at once.
Son las once. Vámonos de inmediato.
- B:
Once upon a time I hated mornings too.
Érase una vez que yo también odiaba las mañanas.
Test yourself
"I saw it once" means...
To remember it
Once = one time. The number 11 (Spanish "once") = eleven.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "once" mean?
Spanish "once" means "eleven". It looks like the English "once", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "once" means "one time".
Does English "once" mean the same as Spanish "once"?
Spanish "once" is the number 11. English "once" means "one time." They have no numerical or semantic relation whatsoever. The similarity is purely in spelling.