DELE A2 Guide: Spanish Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto)
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Key Takeaways
- Master the conjugation of haber + past participle
- Learn when to use present perfect vs. preterite tense
- Understand key time expressions that trigger this tense
- Practice with DELE-focused examples and quiz questions
Welcome to your complete guide to the Spanish Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto). This essential past tense connects past actions to the present moment, making it crucial for the DELE A2 exam. You’ll use it to talk about recent experiences and actions that still affect the present.
What is the Present Perfect Tense?
The present perfect is formed with the present tense of “haber” + the past participle. It describes actions that happened in the past but are relevant to the present.
Formation: Haber + Past Participle
Haber Conjugation:
- Yo he
- Tú has
- Él/Ella/Usted ha
- Nosotros hemos
- Vosotros habéis
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes han
Past Participle Formation:
- -AR verbs: -ado (hablar → hablado)
- -ER/-IR verbs: -ido (comer → comido, vivir → vivido)
When to Use the Present Perfect:
- Recent Past: Actions that happened today, this week, or this year
- “**He comido ya.” (I have already eaten.)
- Life Experiences: Actions that happened at an unspecified time in your life
- “**He visitado México tres veces.” (I have visited Mexico three times.)
- Actions with Present Relevance: Past actions that affect the present
- “**He perdido mis llaves.” (I have lost my keys – and I still don’t have them)
Key Time Expressions:
- Hoy (today)
- Esta semana (this week)
- Este mes (this month)
- Este año (this year)
- Ya (already)
- Todavía no (not yet)
- Nunca (never)
- Siempre (always)
Complete Conjugation Chart
| Subject | Haber | Past Participle | Example: Hablar | Example: Comer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | he | -ado/-ido | he hablado | he comido |
| Tú | has | -ado/-ido | has hablado | has comido |
| Él/Ella/Usted | ha | -ado/-ido | ha hablado | ha comido |
| Nosotros | hemos | -ado/-ido | hemos hablado | hemos comido |
| Vosotros | habéis | -ado/-ido | habéis hablado | habéis comido |
| Ellos/Ustedes | han | -ado/-ido | han hablado | han comido |
Common Irregular Past Participles
| Verb | Past Participle | English |
|---|---|---|
| Abrir | abierto | opened |
| Decir | dicho | said |
| Escribir | escrito | written |
| Hacer | hecho | done/made |
| Ver | visto | seen |
| Volver | vuelto | returned |
DELE A2 Examples & Sentences
Daily Life Examples:
- “Esta mañana he desayunado pan tostado.” (This morning I have eaten toast for breakfast.)
- “¿Has terminado tu trabajo hoy?” (Have you finished your work today?)
- “Mis amigos han llegado hace cinco minutos.” (My friends have arrived five minutes ago.)
Life Experience Examples:
- “Nunca he viajado a Asia.” (I have never traveled to Asia.)
- “¿Has estado alguna vez en Madrid?” (Have you ever been to Madrid?)
- “Ella ha trabajado aquí dos años.” (She has worked here for two years.)
DELE A2 Exam Tips
- Use present perfect when talking about recent actions
- Remember the time expressions that require this tense
- Practice the irregular past participles – they frequently appear on exams
- In speaking tasks, use it to describe your daily experiences
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t use present perfect with specific past dates (“Ayer he comido” – INCORRECT)
- Don’t confuse with preterite – use preterite for completed past actions
- Remember the accents: hablado, comido (not hablado, comido)
Practice with Our Tools
Use our Spanish Conjugation Tool to practice forming the present perfect with any verb.
Click here to open our Spanish Conjugation Tool!
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of this important tense?
Take our DELE A2 Present Perfect Quiz here to ensure you’re prepared for the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A2 Journey?
- Need to review other past tenses? Study DELE A2 Preterite Tense
- Want to compare tenses? Practice with DELE A2 Preterite vs Imperfect
- Ready for commands? Learn DELE A2 Informal Commands
- Practice all A2 grammar? Return to DELE A2 Grammar Hub
Master the present perfect and you’ll significantly improve your Spanish communication skills!
