Quantitative adjective in Spanish: cada and todos/-as for "every" in time phrases (Adjetivo cuantitativo)

Spanish quantitative adjectives: cada/todos

In Spanish these adjectives expressing quantity are used to say every/each:

  • cada
  • todos/-as

Cada +[noun]

Voy al gimnasio cada miércoles.I go to the gym every Wednesday.

Me ducho cada mañana.I have a shower every morning.

Notice that cada is invariable and is always followed by a singular noun or a number plus plural noun.

Ella toma sus pastillas cada ocho horas.
She takes her pills every eight hours.

Todos/-as + los/las + [noun]

Pedro está en casa todas las mañanas.Pedro is at home each/every morning.

Voy a nadar todos los miércoles.I go swimming every Wednesday.

Laura pasea al perro todas las tardes.Laura walks the dog every afternoon.

Notice that todos/todas are followed by the plural definite article (los/las) agreeing in gender and number with the noun. 

Cada and todos/-as are interchangeable

Have a look and listen to this examples:

Cada verano volamos a Ibiza.Every summer we fly to Ibiza.

Todos los veranos volamos a Ibiza.Every summer we fly to Ibiza.

Difference between todo/-a and cada

Be careful because you can't use todo/-a (singular form) in the same way. Have a look at these two sentences and notice how the meaning changes:

Creo que ella va a estar en el centro todo el día.
I think she will be in the centre all day.

Creo que ella va a estar en el centro todos los días.
I think she will be in the centre every day.

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Examples and resources

Pedro está en casa todas las mañanas.Pedro is at home each/every morning.
Voy al gimnasio cada miércoles.I go to the gym every Wednesday.
Me ducho cada mañana.I have a shower every morning.
Voy a nadar todos los miércoles.I go swimming every Wednesday.
Laura pasea al perro todas las tardes.Laura walks the dog every afternoon.
Cada verano volamos a Ibiza.Every summer we fly to Ibiza.
Todos los veranos volamos a Ibiza.Every summer we fly to Ibiza.
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