The phrase “de hecho” means effectively. On the other hand, the phrase “de echo” is incorrect, this verb corresponds to the infinitive of “echar”.
In this post we are going to see the differences between the words hecho and echo, when we use them and examples.
When do we use the word echo?
This word corresponds to the conjugation of the verb echar in the present simple indicative:
| Pronouns | verb: echar – Present Simple |
| yo | echo |
| tú | echas |
| él / ella / usted | echa |
| nosotros/-as | echamos |
| ellos/-as/ustedes | echan |
| vosotros/-as | echáis |
Echar is a transitive verb that can mean:
- to fire someone.
Echaron a 200 empleados.
(They fired 200 employees)
- to dismiss something from oneself.
Esta fruta echa un olor desagradable.
(This fruit gives off an unpleasant smell.)
- To make something go to a specific place.
Echa la ropa sucia en el cesto del cuarto de lavado.
(Throw the dirty clothes in the hamper in the laundry room.)
- apply or put
Echa sal y pimienta a gusto.
(Pour salt and pepper to taste.)
¿Puedes echar un poco de perfume a la ropa?
(Can you put some perfume on the clothes?)
- show anger
Está que echa fuego por la boca.
(He’s blowing fire out of his mouth.)
- tear down
Decidieron echar abajo el edificio para construir un nuevo supermercado.
(They decided to tear down the building to build a new supermarket.)
- to start an action.
Se echó a reír después de escuchar el chiste.
(He burst out laughing after hearing the joke)
It is also used in phrases like:
- To spoil: to deteriorate a material thing.
Dejé la comida fuera de la nevera y la eché a perder.
(I left the food out of the fridge and spoiled it.)
- Echar de menos: to miss something or someone.
¿Qué es lo que más echas de menos de tu país?
(What do you miss most about your country?)
- Back out: not keeping a promise.
Al final, se echó atrás y decidió no invertir en el negocio.
(In the end, he backed out and decided not to invest in the business.)
When do we use the word hecho?
The phrase de hecho means effectively.
Examples:
Ella trabaja aquí también, de hecho es la maestra de grado.
(She works here too, in fact she is the grade teacher.)
No muestra interés en la clase, de hecho tiene la asistencia más baja de la clase.
(She shows no interest in class, in fact she has the lowest attendance in the class.)
Hecho is also the participle form of the verb hacer.
Examples:
No hemos hecho ejercicio aún.
(We haven’t exercised yet.)
¿Has hecho lo que te pedí?
(Have you done what I asked you to do?)
It is also used as an adjective that can be feminine / masculine, plural / singular.
Examples:
Los uniformes fueron hechos por la cooperativa.
(The uniforms were made by the cooperative.)
Esta cena fue hecha con mucho cariño.
(This dinner was made with a lot of love.)
It also means semejante / like, as in these examples:
Entró a la oficina hecho una fiera.
(He came into the office looking fierce.)
Estaba hecha una loca cuando discutió.
(She was a mad woman when she argued.)
Finally, it also means vale / okay.
Example:
– Tú debes enviar el correo al gerente. (- You are to send the mail to the manager. )
– Hecho. (- Done).
De hecho vs. En realidad in Spanish
In Spanish, “de hecho” and “en realidad” are both expressions used to indicate that something is true or real. However, there is a subtle difference in their usage.
“De hecho” is commonly used to express that something is true based on facts or evidence. It can be translated as “in fact” or “as a matter of fact“.
Example:
De hecho, él es el propietario de la empresa.
(In fact, he is the owner of the company).
“En realidad” is used to express that something is true or real, but it may not have been previously perceived or understood. It can be translated as “actually” or “in reality“.
Ejemplo:
En realidad, ella no está enojada, solo está cansada
(Actually, she’s not angry, she’s just tired).
So, while both expressions convey a sense of truth or reality, “de hecho” emphasizes the evidence or facts supporting it, while “en realidad” emphasizes the revelation or clarification of the truth.
