Ayer is an adverb.
/aˈjeɾ/
Ayer refers to the day before today. It is commonly used in both oral and written contexts and is quite frequent in everyday conversation. It indicates a temporal reference to events, actions, or occurrences that took place on the preceding day.
Ayer fui al cine con mis amigos.
(Yesterday I went to the cinema with my friends.)
Ayer hizo mucho frío en la ciudad.
(Yesterday it was very cold in the city.)
Ayer me olvidé de comprar pan.
(Yesterday I forgot to buy bread.)
Ayer is used in several idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are a few examples:
Ayer fue otro día.
(Yesterday was another day.)
Meaning: This phrase is often used to express that today brings new opportunities, regardless of what happened yesterday.
Ayer me tocó la lotería.
(Yesterday I won the lottery.)
Meaning: Used to emphasize the randomness of fortune or luck experienced suddenly.
Ayer fue un día de locos.
(Yesterday was a crazy day.)
Meaning: This expression reflects on a hectic or tumultuous day.
Ayer llamé a mi abuela.
(Yesterday I called my grandmother.)
Meaning: A simple recounting of a prior action, showing the importance of family connections.
The word ayer comes from the Latin word adiu or adius meaning "the previous day." It evolved through Old Spanish before becoming the modern term used today.
Synonyms: - Anteayer (the day before yesterday)
Antonyms: - Mañana (tomorrow)
Usage Context: The word ayer is fundamental in conversations about time and past events, making it a crucial part of day-to-day Spanish dialogue. Its frequent usage in idiomatic expressions reflects the cultural importance of discussing and reflecting on past experiences in the Spanish-speaking world.