Introduction
If you’re learning Spanish or reading Spanish text online, chances are you’ve stumbled across hico vs hizo and wondered which one is correct. They look similar, sound related, and are often mixed up by learners and even native speakers in casual writing. This confusion usually happens because both words appear to come from the same verb and are used in similar sentence positions.
Here’s the key point: only one of them is grammatically correct in modern Spanish.
Although they look/sound similar, they serve completely different purposes.
Understanding the difference between hico vs hizo is important for speaking, writing, exams, and professional communication. In this guide, we’ll break everything down step by step—meanings, grammar rules, examples, real-life dialogues, and memory tricks—so you never confuse them again.
What Is “Hico”?
Meaning
Hico is not a correct word in standard Spanish.
It may look like a verb form, but “hico” does not exist in modern Spanish grammar. You will not find it in official dictionaries like the Real Academia Española (RAE).
How It’s Used
In short: it isn’t.
When people write or say hico, it is almost always a spelling mistake made by learners or informal writers who are trying to conjugate the verb hacer (to do / to make).
Where It Appears
You might see hico in:
- Student assignments
- Informal messages
- Social media posts
- Early-stage Spanish learner writing
However, it is incorrect in all Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and beyond.
Incorrect Example Sentences
❌ Él hico su tarea ayer.
❌ Ella hico un pastel para la fiesta.
Both sentences are grammatically wrong.
Why People Think “Hico” Exists
The confusion comes from Spanish verb patterns. Many verbs ending in -er or -ir use -í or -ió in the past tense, leading learners to assume hacer follows the same rule. It doesn’t.
📌 Key takeaway:
Hico is always incorrect.
What Is “Hizo”?
Meaning
Hizo is the correct past tense form of the verb hacer, which means:
- to do
- to make
Specifically, hizo is the third-person singular, preterite tense form.
➡️ He/She/It did
➡️ He/She/It made
How It’s Used
You use hizo to describe an action that was:
- Completed in the past
- Done once or within a finished time frame
Where It’s Used
Hizo is used in all Spanish-speaking countries and follows standard grammar rules.
It appears in:
- Academic writing
- Everyday conversation
- News articles
- Exams and certifications
- Professional Spanish
Correct Example Sentences
✔️ Él hizo su tarea ayer.
✔️ Ella hizo un pastel para la fiesta.
✔️ El clima hizo mucho frío anoche.
Grammar Note
The verb hacer is irregular in the preterite tense:
- hacer → hizo
- NOT hico
📚 Historically, Spanish preserved this irregular form for pronunciation clarity and consistency.
Key Differences Between Hico and Hizo
Quick Summary (Bullet Points)
- Hico ❌ is not a real Spanish word
- Hizo ✅ is the correct past tense of hacer
- Hico vs hizo confusion comes from verb conjugation patterns
- Hizo is accepted in all Spanish-speaking regions
- Hico should never be used in formal or informal writing
Comparison Table: Hico vs Hizo
| Feature | Hico | Hizo |
|---|---|---|
| Is it a real word? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Verb tense | None | Preterite |
| Comes from hacer | ❌ Incorrect form | ✅ Correct form |
| Accepted by RAE | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Used in Spanish-speaking countries | ❌ Never | ✅ All |
| Example | ❌ Él hico… | ✅ Él hizo… |
Real-Life Conversation Examples
Dialogue 1
A: ¿Está bien decir “él hico la tarea”?
B: No, eso es incorrecto. Se dice “él hizo la tarea”.
🎯 Lesson: Only hizo is grammatically correct.
Dialogue 2
A: Siempre escribo hico por error.
B: Recuerda: hacer en pasado es hizo, nunca hico.
🎯 Lesson: Memorization helps eliminate common mistakes.
Dialogue 3
A: Mi profesor marcó “hico” como error.
B: Porque no existe en español estándar.
🎯 Lesson: Exams and formal writing require correct forms.
Dialogue 4
A: ¿Los nativos dicen hico alguna vez?
B: No, solo hizo.
🎯 Lesson: Native speakers do not use “hico.”
When to Use Hico vs Hizo
Use “Hizo” When
✔️ Talking about a completed action
✔️ Referring to past events
✔️ Writing correct Spanish
✔️ Preparing for exams or certifications
Examples:
- Él hizo el trabajo.
- Ella hizo una decisión importante.
Never Use “Hico” When
❌ Writing essays
❌ Speaking Spanish
❌ Taking exams
❌ Posting professional content
📌 Rule:
If you are choosing between hico vs hizo, the answer is always hizo.
Simple Memory Trick
🧠 HIZO has a Z → Correct
🧠 HICO has a C → Cancel it
US vs Spain or Latin America Usage
There is no regional difference in this case.
- Spain ✅ uses hizo
- Mexico ✅ uses hizo
- Argentina ✅ uses hizo
- Colombia ✅ uses hizo
❌ Hico is incorrect everywhere
Fun Facts or History
1. Why “Hizo” Is Irregular
Spanish preserved older Latin-based conjugations to maintain pronunciation flow. That’s why hacer becomes hizo, not hico.
2. One of the Most Common Learner Mistakes
According to Spanish instructors, hico vs hizo is among the top 10 spelling errors for beginners learning past tense verbs.
Conclusion
The difference between hico vs hizo is actually very simple once you know the rule. Hico is not a real Spanish word, while hizo is the correct past tense form of hacer. This applies everywhere—Spain, Latin America, classrooms, exams, and everyday conversation. If you ever hesitate, remember the memory trick: Z = correct. By using hizo confidently, your Spanish will sound more natural, accurate, and professional.
Next time someone uses these two words, you’ll know exactly what they mean!
