Italian Phrase
Ho lavorato ieri.
Meaning
This phrase uses the 'passato prossimo' tense to describe a completed action in the past. It combines the auxiliary verb 'avere' (to have) with the past participle of 'lavorare' (to work).
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks what you did yesterday or when explaining why you were unavailable. It is suitable for both professional and casual contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Holavoratoieri
Ho (Avere)
The first-person singular of 'avere', acting as an auxiliary verb to indicate the past.
Lavorato
The past participle of 'lavorare'. Most '-are' verbs form the participle by changing the ending to '-ato'.
Ieri
A temporal adverb meaning 'yesterday', usually placed at the end of the clause.
🗨In Conversation
Sei uscito ieri sera?
Did you go out last night?
No, ero stanco perché ho lavorato ieri.
No, I was tired because I worked yesterday.
✕Common Mistakes
Io lavorato ieri.
The auxiliary verb 'ho' is required to form the past tense; 'lavorato' cannot stand alone here.
Sono lavorato ieri.
The verb 'lavorare' always takes 'avere' as its auxiliary verb, never 'essere'.
↔Alternatives
Ho lavorato tutto il giorno.
I worked all day.
Ero al lavoro ieri.
I was at work yesterday.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, the 'passato prossimo' is the most common way to speak about the past in daily conversation, especially in the North and Center. While the 'passato remoto' exists for distant history, 'ho lavorato' is your go-to for anything that happened recently.