"Una vez" is a phrase that functions as a noun in Spanish.
/ˈuna βes/
"Una vez" translates to "once" or "one time" in English. It is used to refer to a single occurrence of an event or action. The phrase is common in both oral and written contexts, often utilized when narrating events or giving instructions that require a past action to be remembered. Its frequency of use is moderate, as it represents a fundamental concept in storytelling and recounting experiences.
"Una vez fui a la playa y me divertí mucho."
"Once I went to the beach and had a lot of fun."
"Necesito que lo hagas una vez más antes de que termine el día."
"I need you to do it once more before the day ends."
"Una vez, durante un viaje, conocí a una persona muy interesante."
"Once, during a trip, I met a very interesting person."
"Una vez" is often used in various idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are a few notable ones:
This expression suggests that indulging in something occasionally is not harmful.
"Una vez que..."
"Once that..."
Example: "Una vez que termines tu tarea, podrás salir a jugar."
"Once you finish your homework, you can go out to play."
"Una vez en la vida."
"Once in a lifetime."
The phrase "una vez" comes from the Spanish "una," which means "one," and "vez," which means "time" or "occurrence." It stems from the Latin word "unus" for "one" and "vita," which means "life" or "time." Together, they form the concept of a single instance.