Spanish for “Back then”

Introduction

Learning to talk about the past in Spanish goes beyond simple past tense verbs. When you want to reference a specific time period in the past, especially one that feels distant or nostalgic, Spanish offers several nuanced expressions that native speakers use naturally. Understanding these phrases will help you sound more fluent and express yourself with greater precision when reminiscing or discussing historical events.

Understanding the Core Expression: En Aquel Entonces

The most common and versatile way to say back then in Spanish is en aquel entonces. This phrase literally translates to in that then, but functions perfectly as the English equivalent of back then or at that time. Native speakers use en aquel entonces when referring to a specific period in the past that has already been established in conversation.

For example:
En aquel entonces, no teníamos teléfonos móviles.
Back then, we didn’t have cell phones.

The beauty of en aquel entonces lies in its flexibility. You can use it whether you’re talking about your childhood, a previous decade, or any defined moment in history. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone, making it suitable for both casual conversations and written narratives.

The Shorter Alternative: Entonces

For a more streamlined option, Spanish speakers frequently use simply entonces on its own. While this word primarily means then or so, it effectively communicates back then when the context is clear. This shortened version appears more often in everyday speech than the fuller en aquel entonces.

Consider these examples:
Yo vivía en Madrid. Entonces era muy joven.
I lived in Madrid. Back then I was very young.

Mis abuelos se conocieron en 1960. Entonces todo era diferente.
My grandparents met in 1960. Back then everything was different.

The key to using entonces effectively is ensuring your listener or reader understands which time period you’re referencing. Without proper context, it might be confused with its other meanings.

Regional Variation: En Ese Entonces

Latin American Spanish speakers, particularly in countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina, commonly use en ese entonces as their preferred expression. This phrase translates to in that then and functions identically to en aquel entonces, though it uses the demonstrative ese instead of aquel.

Example usage:
En ese entonces, trabajaba como profesor de inglés.
Back then, I worked as an English teacher.

The difference between aquel and ese relates to distance, both physical and temporal. Aquel suggests something more distant or remote, while ese indicates something closer. However, in practice, en ese entonces and en aquel entonces are used interchangeably across most Spanish-speaking regions, with geographic preference being the primary determining factor.

When to Choose Each Variation

If you’re learning Spanish with a focus on European Spanish, lean toward en aquel entonces. If your learning targets Latin American varieties, en ese entonces will sound more natural to native ears. Both are perfectly correct and mutually understood across all Spanish-speaking countries.

Adding Temporal Distance: En Aquellos Tiempos

When you want to emphasize the distance or difference between past and present, en aquellos tiempos serves as an excellent choice. This phrase means in those times or in those days and often carries nostalgic or reflective undertones.

Native speakers use en aquellos tiempos when:
– Reminiscing about childhood or youth
– Discussing historical periods
– Contrasting past and present circumstances

Examples in context:
En aquellos tiempos, la vida era más tranquila.
Back then, life was calmer.

En aquellos tiempos de estudiante, pasaba horas en la biblioteca.
Back in those days as a student, I spent hours in the library.

This expression adds an emotional layer to your Spanish, suggesting not just a temporal reference but also a sense of fondness or wistfulness for the past.

The Colloquial Option: Por Aquel Entonces

Another variation you’ll encounter is por aquel entonces, which adds the preposition por to create around that time or back around then. This phrase appears frequently in storytelling and narrative contexts.

For instance:
Por aquel entonces, acababa de mudarme a Barcelona.
Back around then, I had just moved to Barcelona.

The inclusion of por adds a slight sense of approximation, suggesting the timeframe isn’t precisely defined but rather encompasses a general period. Think of it as the difference between saying back then versus back around that time in English.

Formal and Literary Expressions

En Aquella Época

For more formal or literary contexts, Spanish offers en aquella época, meaning in that era or in that period. This expression appears commonly in historical writing, academic texts, and formal speeches.

Example:
En aquella época, el país atravesaba grandes cambios sociales.
Back then, the country was going through great social changes.

Por Aquellos Días

Similarly formal is por aquellos días, translating to around those days or back in those days. This phrase works well when discussing specific events or short periods in the past.

Por aquellos días, comenzaban las celebraciones de primavera.
Back in those days, the spring celebrations were beginning.

Practical Applications in Conversation

Understanding when and how to deploy these expressions will elevate your Spanish conversations. Here are some practical scenarios:

Sharing Personal Memories

When reminiscing with friends or family, these phrases add authenticity:
Recuerdo cuando vivíamos en el campo. En aquel entonces, todo me parecía una aventura.
I remember when we lived in the countryside. Back then, everything seemed like an adventure to me.

Comparing Past and Present

These expressions excel at drawing contrasts:
Ahora uso aplicaciones para todo, pero en aquellos tiempos teníamos que hacer cola para comprar entradas.
Now I use apps for everything, but back then we had to stand in line to buy tickets.

Setting Historical Context

When discussing history or past events:
La revolución comenzó en 1910. En ese entonces, la mayoría de la población vivía en zonas rurales.
The revolution began in 1910. Back then, most of the population lived in rural areas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Spanish learners sometimes make these errors when expressing back then:

Avoid literal translations like atrás entonces, which doesn’t exist in Spanish. While atrás means back in a physical sense, it doesn’t combine with entonces in this temporal expression.

Don’t confuse entonces meaning back then with its use as a logical connector meaning therefore or so. Context determines the meaning, but paying attention to sentence structure helps avoid misunderstandings.

Remember that these expressions require past tense verbs. You wouldn’t say en aquel entonces vivo in present tense, but rather en aquel entonces vivía in the imperfect past.

Building Fluency Through Practice

To internalize these expressions, try incorporating them into your Spanish practice routine. Write short paragraphs about your childhood, teenage years, or past experiences using different variations. Notice which phrases feel most natural to you and align with the Spanish variety you’re learning.

Listen to native speakers telling stories, whether in podcasts, interviews, or conversations. Pay attention to which expressions they favor and in what contexts. You’ll quickly notice regional preferences and stylistic choices that can inform your own usage.

Practice creating sentences that move between past and present, using these temporal markers to guide your listener through time:
Hoy trabajo desde casa, pero en aquellos tiempos tenía que viajar dos horas cada día.
Today I work from home, but back then I had to travel two hours each day.

Conclusion

Mastering expressions for back then in Spanish opens new dimensions in your ability to discuss the past with nuance and authenticity. Whether you choose the versatile en aquel entonces, the conversational entonces, the Latin American en ese entonces, or the nostalgic en aquellos tiempos, each phrase adds color and precision to your Spanish communication. Practice these expressions regularly, and you’ll soon find yourself reminiscing like a native speaker.