Do you get confused between “hecho” and “echo”? You’re not alone. It’s a very common mistake in Spanish because both words sound the same but have different meanings and uses. In this article, MaestroMío breaks it all down for you with easy explanations and practical examples—so you’ll never mix them up again. Keep reading and clear up the confusion once and for all!
“Hecho” (with “h”) – Past Participle of the Verb “Hacer” or a Noun
✔ What is it?
“Hecho” with an “h” can be:
- The past participle of the verb “hacer” (to do/make), used in compound tenses.
- A noun meaning “event” or “completed action.”
✔ Main Uses of “hecho”
- As the past participle of “hacer” (used in compound tenses with “haber”)
Examples:
He hecho la tarea. (I have done the homework.)
¿Has hecho ejercicio hoy? (Have you exercised today?) - As a noun (meaning “fact” or “event”)
Examples:
Es un hecho que el sol sale por el este. (It’s a fact that the sun rises in the east.)
Los hechos históricos deben estudiarse con atención. (Historical facts should be studied carefully.)
📌 Tip: If you can replace “hecho” with “realizado” (done) or “suceso” (event), it uses an “h.”
“Echo” (without “h”) – From the Verb “Echar”
✔ What is it?
“Echo” without an “h” is a conjugated form of the verb “echar”, which means “to throw,” “to expel,” or “to put.”
✔ Main Uses of “echo”
- As a conjugation of the verb “echar” (first person singular in the present: yo echo)
Examples:
Echo la basura en su lugar. (I throw the trash in its place.)
Siempre echo sal a la comida. (I always add salt to the food.) - In common expressions:
- Echar de menos (to miss) → Te echo de menos. (I miss you.)
- Echar una mano (to lend a hand) → Te echo una mano con la tarea. (I’ll give you a hand with the homework.)
- Echar a perder (to spoil) → El sol ha echado a perder la pintura. (The sun has ruined the paint.)
📌 Tip: If you can replace “echo” with “arrojo” (I throw) or “expulso” (I expel), it’s spelled without an “h.”
Comparison Examples
🔹 Example with “hecho” (past participle of hacer)
- He hecho una tarta para la fiesta. (I have made a cake for the party.)
🔹 Example with “echo” (from the verb echar)
- Echo azúcar al café. (I add sugar to the coffee.)
🔹 Example with “hecho” (noun: fact or event)
- Es un hecho que el agua hierve a 100°C. (It is a fact that water boils at 100°C.)
🔹 Example with “echo” (expression “echar de menos”)
- Te echo de menos cuando no estás. (I miss you when you’re not here.)
