Introduction
The present perfect (pretérito perfecto) describes actions that have happened — usually recently or with relevance to the present moment. It's formed with the verb haber plus a past participle, similar to English ("I have eaten").
Regional note: In Spain, the present perfect is used frequently for recent past events (Hoy he comido paella). In much of Latin America, the preterite is preferred for the same situations (Hoy comí paella). Both are correct — knowing both is important.
Conjugation of Haber (Auxiliary)
| Person | Haber |
|---|---|
| yo | he |
| tú | has |
| él/ella/usted | ha |
| nosotros | hemos |
| ellos/ustedes | han |
Regular Past Participles
Drop the infinitive ending and add:
| Verb type | Ending | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -AR | -ado | hablar → hablado |
| -ER | -ido | comer → comido |
| -IR | -ido | vivir → vivido |
Examples
- He hablado con ella. — I have spoken with her.
- ¿Has comido? — Have you eaten?
- Hemos vivido aquí diez años. — We have lived here ten years.
Irregular Past Participles
These must be memorized:
| Infinitive | Participle | English |
|---|---|---|
| abrir | abierto | opened |
| decir | dicho | said |
| escribir | escrito | written |
| hacer | hecho | done / made |
| morir | muerto | died |
| poner | puesto | put |
| resolver | resuelto | resolved |
| romper | roto | broken |
| ver | visto | seen |
| volver | vuelto | returned |
- He hecho la tarea. — I have done the homework.
- ¿Has visto la película? — Have you seen the movie?
- Han roto la ventana. — They have broken the window.
Key Rules
Nothing goes between haber and the participle
- No he comido. — I haven't eaten. (No goes before he, not between he and comido.)
- ¿Ya has terminado? — Have you already finished?
The participle NEVER changes form
Unlike adjective agreement, the past participle in compound tenses stays the same regardless of gender or number:
- Ella ha llegado. (not
llegada) - Ellos han comido. (not
comidos)
Pronouns go before haber
- Lo he visto. — I have seen it.
- Me ha dicho. — He/She has told me.
- ¿Te has lavado las manos? — Have you washed your hands?
When to Use the Present Perfect
Recent or current-day events (especially in Spain)
- Esta mañana he desayunado temprano. — This morning I had breakfast early.
- Hoy no he dormido bien. — Today I haven't slept well.
Life experiences (ever / never)
- ¿Has viajado a Japón? — Have you (ever) traveled to Japan?
- Nunca he esquiado. — I have never skied.
Something just completed
- Ya he terminado. — I've already finished.
- Todavía no he empezado. — I haven't started yet.
Practice
How do you say 'I have eaten'?
What is the past participle of 'hacer'?
'Ella ha llegado.' Why is it 'llegado' and not 'llegada'?
Where does the pronoun go in 'I have seen it'?