Usage Note
Ayer always refers to the calendar day immediately before today. It typically triggers the preterite tense: ayer fui al mercado. In compound expressions, ayer por la mañana (yesterday morning) and ayer por la noche (yesterday evening/night) are the standard forms. Avoid confusing it with antes, which means 'before/previously' in a broader sense.
Examples
"Ayer llovió todo el día."
Natural Translation
Yesterday it rained all day.
Literal Translation
Yesterday it-rained all the day
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