A whole clause in three words
Terminada la reunión, nos fuimos. The first half has no auxiliary and no conjunction, yet it has a subject of its own: la reunión. It means once the meeting was over. This is the participio absoluto: a participle with its own subject that replaces a whole subordinate clause.
English can do this too: The meeting over, we left. But it is rarer, often wants a with in front, and puts the noun first and the participle second. Spanish does the reverse: the participle comes first.
From full clause to short form
Three sentences on the same pattern
Terminada la reunión, nos fuimos a casa.
Once the meeting was over, we went home.
Firmado el contrato, ya no hay vuelta atrás.
Once the contract is signed, there is no going back.
Recogidos los platos, sacamos el postre.
With the plates cleared away, we brought out the dessert.
Same content, opposite order
English - noun first
The meeting over, we left.
Spanish - participle first
Terminada la reunión, nos fuimos.
The ending tells you what it belongs to
English finished is one word for everything. Here the Spanish participle has four forms, chosen by the noun that follows. Irregular participles agree too: resueltos los problemas, escrita la carta.
Four endings, one verb
| Noun | Participle | Example |
|---|---|---|
| masculine singular | terminado | Terminado el curso, … |
| feminine singular | terminada | Terminada la obra, … |
| masculine plural | terminados | Terminados los trámites, … |
| feminine plural | terminadas | Terminadas las clases, … |
terminar (to finish)
With irregular participles
Resueltos los problemas técnicos, pudimos publicar.
Once the technical problems were solved, we were able to publish.
Hechas las maletas, llamamos a un taxi.
With the bags packed, we called a taxi.
Word order, una vez and register
The participle comes before the noun, and a comma separates the phrase from the main clause. It usually opens the sentence. Una vez (once, as soon as) may go in front to stress the sequence; nothing else changes.
With una vez
Una vez terminada la reunión, nos fuimos.
As soon as the meeting was over, we left.
Una vez aprobado el presupuesto, empezamos las obras.
Once the budget was approved, we started the building work.
Set phrases
A few participios absolutos have hardened into fixed formulas that also occur in conversation. Agreement and word order are already decided for you. English has the same frozen shapes in that said and that done.
Four ready-made formulas
Dicho esto, no creo que sea buena idea.
That said, I still don't think it is a good idea.
dicho esto – introduces a reservation
Visto lo visto, mejor lo dejamos para otro día.
Given how things have turned out, we had better leave it for another day.
visto lo visto – draws the consequence of what has happened
Llegado el momento, ya decidiremos quién va.
When the time comes, we will decide who goes.
llegado el momento – points to a future moment
Hecho esto, deja reposar la masa media hora.
That done, let the dough rest for half an hour.
hecho esto – strings steps together in instructions and recipes
