The ‘pretérito perfecto de indicativo’ is used to express and to describe actions or situations which date back to the past but are stil close to the present day.
ex. -He cantado una canción. (I sang a song).
-Ella ha leído una revista. (She read a magazine).
-Hemos vivido en Madrid. (We lived in Madrid).
It is used to talk about something that happened this year/month/morning/afternoon/evening/week.
ex. -Juan ha empezado la universidad este año. (Juan started university this year).
-Esta semana ha llovido mucho. (This week it rained a lot).
-Hoy me he levantado tarde. (Today I woke up late).
It is also used to describe actions which have just happened.
ex. -He estado con Javier hace un segundo. (I was with Javier a second ago).
-He aprendido a hacer un café ahora. (I learned to make coffee just now).
It is normally used to report recent news.
ex. -Ha nacido mi hijo. (My son was born).
-Ha habido un accidente. (It was an accident).
The Pretérito perfecto de indicativo is used to talk about past actions which led to present consequences.
ex. -No puedo jugar. Me he roto un dedo. (I can’t play. I broke my finger).
-No puedo ir. Me he ido de viaje. (I can’t come. I’ve gone on a trip).
-LLego tarde. He perdido el tren. (I’m late. I missed the train).
It is formed by the ausiliar verb HABER in the present form + the past participle of the verb.
HABER
Yo HE
Tú HAS
Él/Ella HA
Nosotros/as HEMOS
Vosotros/as HABEIS
Ellos/as HAN
-AR -> -ADO
-ER -> -IDO
-IR -> -IDO
CANTAR
Yo HE CANTADO
Tú HAS CANTADO
Él/Ella HA CANTADO
Nosotros/as HEMOS CANTADO
Vosotros/as HABEIS CANTADO
Ellos/as HAN CANTADO
LEER
Yo HE LEIDO
Tú HAS LEIDO
Él/Ella HA LEIDO
Nosotros/as HEMOS LEIDO
Vosotros/as HABEIS LEIDO
Ellos/ as HAN LEIDO
VIVIR
Yo HE VIVIDO
Tú HAS VIVIDO
Él/Ella HA VIVIDO
Nosotros/as HEMOS VIVIDO
Vosotros/as HABEIS VIVIDO
Ellos/as HAN VIVIDO
The only thing that changes is the past participle.
ABRIR (to open) ABIERTO
CUBRIR (to cover) CUBIERTO
DECIR (to say) DICHO
ESCRIBIR (to write) ESCRITO
HACER (to do) HECHO
IMPRIMIR (to print) IMPRESO
MORIR (to die) MUERTO
PONER (to put) PUESTO
RESOLVER (to solve) RESUELTO
ROMPER (to break) ROTO
SATISFACER (to satisfy) SATISFECHO
VER (to see) VISTO
VOLVER (to return) VUELTO