How to Say “That was the first time” in Spanish

Introduction

Learning to express your experiences in Spanish opens up a world of meaningful conversations. One particularly useful phrase for sharing personal stories is that was the first time. Whether you’re reminiscing about traveling abroad, trying new foods, or experiencing exciting moments, knowing how to say this correctly in Spanish will help you connect more authentically with native speakers.

The Standard Translation: Esa fue la primera vez

The most common and straightforward way to say that was the first time in Spanish is esa fue la primera vez. This phrase breaks down into three essential components that work together to convey the complete meaning.

The word esa means that and is a feminine demonstrative pronoun. The verb fue is the preterite (past tense) form of ser, meaning was. Finally, la primera vez translates directly to the first time, where primera means first and vez means time or occasion.

Here are some practical examples:
Esa fue la primera vez que visité España. – That was the first time I visited Spain.
Esa fue la primera vez que probé la paella. – That was the first time I tried paella.
Esa fue la primera vez que vi el océano. – That was the first time I saw the ocean.

Alternative Expressions Using Aquella

While esa fue la primera vez is perfectly acceptable, Spanish speakers sometimes use aquella fue la primera vez to add a sense of temporal or emotional distance. The word aquella also means that, but it suggests something further away in time or space.

When you use aquella instead of esa, you’re often implying that the memory feels more distant or significant. Native speakers might choose this form when recalling childhood memories or particularly meaningful life events.

Examples using this variation:
Aquella fue la primera vez que monté en bicicleta. – That was the first time I rode a bicycle.
Aquella fue la primera vez que me enamoré. – That was the first time I fell in love.

Understanding Demonstrative Pronouns in Context

The choice between esa and aquella relates to demonstrative pronouns, which indicate distance from the speaker. Spanish has three levels of demonstrative distance, unlike English which typically only has two.

Este/esta refers to things close to the speaker, ese/esa refers to things at a medium distance or close to the listener, and aquel/aquella refers to things far from both the speaker and listener. When talking about past experiences, you’re choosing between medium distance (esa) and far distance (aquella).

Choosing the Right Demonstrative

For recent experiences or memories that feel vivid and present, esa fue la primera vez works beautifully. For experiences from long ago or that feel emotionally distant, aquella fue la primera vez adds appropriate nuance.

Consider these contextual examples:
Esa fue la primera vez que usé esta aplicación. – That was the first time I used this app. (Recent experience)
Aquella fue la primera vez que salí de mi país. – That was the first time I left my country. (Distant, significant memory)

Adding More Detail With Que

To make your statement more specific and complete, you’ll typically add que after la primera vez, followed by the action or experience. The word que functions as that in English when introducing a subordinate clause.

The complete structure becomes: Esa fue la primera vez que + [verb in preterite tense]. This construction allows you to describe exactly what happened during that first time.

Expanded examples:
Esa fue la primera vez que cociné para mis amigos. – That was the first time I cooked for my friends.
Esa fue la primera vez que hablé en público. – That was the first time I spoke in public.
Esa fue la primera vez que vi nevar. – That was the first time I saw snow falling.

Verb Tense Considerations

The verb fue is in the preterite tense, which Spanish uses for completed actions in the past. This is crucial because you’re describing a specific, finished event. Using era (imperfect tense) instead would change the meaning and sound unnatural in this context.

The preterite tense signals that the first time is a discrete moment in your past, complete and definable. The verb that follows que should also typically be in the preterite tense to maintain grammatical consistency.

Maintaining Tense Agreement

When you describe what happened during that first time, keep your verbs in the preterite:
Esa fue la primera vez que bailé salsa. – That was the first time I danced salsa.
Esa fue la primera vez que comí tacos auténticos. – That was the first time I ate authentic tacos.

Regional Variations and Colloquial Alternatives

While esa fue la primera vez is understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, some regions have colloquial alternatives. In conversational settings, you might hear shortened versions or regional expressions.

Some Spanish speakers, particularly in casual conversation, might say fue la primera vez, dropping the demonstrative pronoun entirely. This abbreviated form is perfectly acceptable and frequently used when the context makes it clear what you’re referring to.

Example in conversation:
Speaker A: ¿Te gustó la experiencia? – Did you like the experience?
Speaker B: Sí, fue la primera vez que lo intentaba. – Yes, it was the first time I tried it.

Emphatic Expressions

To emphasize the significance of the experience, speakers sometimes add realmente (really) or verdaderamente (truly):
Esa fue realmente la primera vez que me sentí libre. – That was really the first time I felt free.
Esa fue verdaderamente la primera vez que entendí. – That was truly the first time I understood.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

English speakers learning Spanish often make predictable errors when constructing this phrase. Being aware of these common pitfalls will help you speak more naturally.

One frequent mistake is using tiempo instead of vez. While both words can translate to time in English, tiempo refers to time in a general sense (duration or the concept of time), while vez specifically means occasion or instance. For first time as an experience, you must use primera vez, not primer tiempo.

Another error involves forgetting the article la before primera vez. Unlike English, where you can say first time without an article in some contexts, Spanish requires the definite article: la primera vez.

Word Order Errors

Some learners incorrectly place the adjective after the noun, saying vez primera instead of primera vez. While Spanish adjectives often follow nouns, ordinal numbers like primera (first), segunda (second), and tercera (third) typically come before the noun they modify.

Expanding Your Expression With Related Phrases

Once you master esa fue la primera vez, you can easily adapt the pattern for other ordinal experiences. The structure remains consistent, only the number changes.

Esa fue la segunda vez means that was the second time, esa fue la tercera vez means that was the third time, and so on. You can also say esa fue la última vez for that was the last time or esa fue la única vez for that was the only time.

Examples with related expressions:
Esa fue la segunda vez que visité México. – That was the second time I visited Mexico.
Esa fue la última vez que lo vi. – That was the last time I saw him.
Esa fue la única vez que gané. – That was the only time I won.

Using the Phrase in Natural Conversation

Knowing the phrase is one thing; using it naturally in conversation is another. Spanish speakers often use esa fue la primera vez when telling stories, sharing experiences, or explaining how they developed skills or interests.

The phrase works beautifully as a conversation starter or as a way to add context to your stories. When you share a memorable experience, introducing it with this phrase creates anticipation and signals to your listener that you’re about to share something meaningful.

Conversational example:
¿Sabes? Esa fue la primera vez que viajé sola, y cambió mi vida completamente. – You know? That was the first time I traveled alone, and it completely changed my life.

Combining With Time Expressions

You can enhance your statement by adding time expressions that provide additional context:
Esa fue la primera vez en mi vida que… – That was the first time in my life that…
Esa fue la primera vez en mucho tiempo que… – That was the first time in a long time that…
Esa fue la primera vez ese año que… – That was the first time that year that…

Conclusion

Mastering the phrase esa fue la primera vez enriches your ability to share personal experiences in Spanish. Whether you choose esa or aquella, remember to use fue in the preterite tense and follow with que plus your specific experience. Practice using this phrase when recounting memories, and you’ll find it becomes a natural part of your Spanish storytelling toolkit.