Idiomatic expressions are phrases that carry a specific meaning within the language. Normally, there is no logical way of translating them word by word. The only way to learn them is to practice their use. Let's look at some examples.

a la vez - at the same time
a veces - sometimes
de una vez - once and for all
de vez en cuando - from time to time
en vez de - instead of

Below are sentences using these idiomatic expressions:

Ellos hablan a la vez.
They speak at the same time.

Él come fruta en vez de pan.
He eats fruit instead of bread.

Va al mar de vez en cuando.
He goes to the ocean now and then.

Tal vez el puede ayudar.
Perhaps he can help.

Él come toda la comida a la vez.
He eats all his food at the same time.

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