The preterite of echar is used to express a specific instance of throwing or casting something in the past. For example, you might say “I threw the ball to my teammate,” indicating a completed action at a particular moment.

This is a regular -ar verb that follows the standard preterite conjugation pattern. Its short structure makes it straightforward to conjugate.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Echar (to throw/cast) in the Preterite (Past) Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

The preterite of echar indicates a completed action of throwing or casting in the past.

To throw/cast: Describes throwing something, for example Echó la carta al buzón (He/she threw the letter in the mailbox) or Eché sal a la comida (I added salt to the food).

To start/begin: In certain phrases, means to start something, for example Echó a correr (He/she started to run).

To kick out/throw out: Used for expulsion, for example Lo echaron del trabajo (They threw him out of work).

Examples

Examples of Echar in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Eché sal a la sopa. (I threw salt in the soup.)

Echaste las cartas al buzón. (You threw the letters in the mailbox.)

El jardinero echó agua a las plantas. (The gardener threw water on the plants.)

Echamos gasolina al carro. (We put gas in the car.)

Los niños echaron pan a los patos. (The children threw bread to the ducks.)

Eché la basura en el contenedor. (I threw the trash in the container.)

Echaste demasiado azúcar al café. (You put too much sugar in the coffee.)

El chef echó especias a la salsa. (The chef threw spices in the sauce.)

Echamos las semillas en el jardín. (We threw the seeds in the garden.)

Los jugadores echaron sus cartas sobre la mesa. (The players threw their cards on the table.)

Eché la llave en mi bolso. (I threw the key in my purse.)

Echaste la culpa a tu hermano. (You threw the blame on your brother.)

El conductor echó reversa. (The driver threw the car in reverse.)

Echamos leña al fuego. (We threw wood on the fire.)

Los trabajadores echaron cemento en los cimientos. (The workers threw cement in the foundation.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Echar (to throw/cast) in the Preterite (Past) Tense tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Preterite tense is also known as the Simple Past, Past Simple, Definite Past, Absolute Past, or Past Tense Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Perfecto Simple, Pretérito Indefinido, Pretérito Simple, Pasado Simple, or Pretérito de Indicativo in Spanish.