CINXE.COM

<!doctype html> <html lang="en-US"> <head>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-BH4LQYF0Y4"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-BH4LQYF0Y4'); </script> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tmis_logo_fav-150x120.png"> <link rel="profile" href="https://gmpg.org/xfn/11"> <script>var et_site_url='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com';var et_post_id='10441';function et_core_page_resource_fallback(a,b){"undefined"===typeof b&&(b=a.sheet.cssRules&&0===a.sheet.cssRules.length);b&&(a.onerror=null,a.onload=null,a.href?a.href=et_site_url+"/?et_core_page_resource="+a.id+et_post_id:a.src&&(a.src=et_site_url+"/?et_core_page_resource="+a.id+et_post_id))} </script><meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' />  <title>Spanish Imperfect Tense 101: Uses, Examples & Conjugations</title><link rel="preload" as="style" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Libre+Franklin:wght@400;800&family=Roboto+Condensed&display=swap" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Libre+Franklin:wght@400;800&family=Roboto+Condensed&display=swap" media="print" onload="this.media='all'" /><noscript><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Libre+Franklin:wght@400;800&family=Roboto+Condensed&display=swap" /></noscript><style id="rocket-critical-css">ul{box-sizing:border-box}:root{--wp--preset--font-size--normal:16px;--wp--preset--font-size--huge:42px}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);-webkit-clip-path:inset(50%);clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;word-wrap:normal!important}.sr-only{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);border:0}html{line-height:1.15;-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%}body{margin:0}h1{font-size:2em;margin:0 0 20px}a{background-color:transparent}img{border-style:none}button,input{font-family:inherit;font-size:100%;line-height:1.15;margin:0}button,input{overflow:visible}button{text-transform:none}button,[type="button"],[type="submit"]{-webkit-appearance:button}button::-moz-focus-inner,[type="button"]::-moz-focus-inner,[type="submit"]::-moz-focus-inner{border-style:none;padding:0}button:-moz-focusring,[type="button"]:-moz-focusring,[type="submit"]:-moz-focusring{outline:1px dotted ButtonText}[type="search"]{-webkit-appearance:textfield;outline-offset:-2px}[type="search"]::-webkit-search-decoration{-webkit-appearance:none}::-webkit-file-upload-button{-webkit-appearance:button;font:inherit}body,button,input{color:#363940;font-family:"Libre Franklin",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.5}h1,h2,.widget-title{clear:both;font-family:"Roboto Condensed","Arial Narrow",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;letter-spacing:1px;font-weight:800;margin-bottom:2px}h1{font-size:32px;font-size:2rem;margin-bottom:20px}h2{font-size:28px;font-size:1.75rem}.widget-title{font-size:18px;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2em;padding:0.4em 0}p{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:20px;color:#363940;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.9}em{font-style:italic}html,body{overflow-x:hidden}html{box-sizing:border-box}*,*:before,*:after{box-sizing:inherit}body{background:#fff}ul{margin:0 0 30px 20px;padding-left:0;line-height:1.5}@media (min-width:768px){ul{padding-left:20px}}ul{list-style:disc}li{margin-bottom:10px;color:#363940}li>ul{margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0}img{height:auto;max-width:100%}button{border:1px solid transparent;border-radius:3px;background:#363940;color:#fff;font-family:"Roboto Condensed","Arial Narrow",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;line-height:1;padding:8px 18px;text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:none;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:1px;font-size:16px;font-size:1rem;font-style:normal}input[type="search"]{color:#666;border:1px solid #ccc;border-radius:3px;padding:3px}a{color:#0f5f9f;text-decoration:underline}a:visited{color:#0f5f9f}.main-navigation{clear:both;display:block;width:100%;height:auto;overflow:hidden;max-height:0;position:relative;background-color:transparent;border-top:1px solid #f0f0f0;border-bottom:1px solid #f0f0f0;box-shadow:inset 0 0 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);font-family:"Roboto Condensed","Arial Narrow",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif}.main-navigation .nav-menu>li a{color:#363940}.main-navigation .nav-menu>li .submenu>li>a{color:#363940}@media (max-width:1199px){.main-navigation .nav-menu>li{border-bottom:1px solid #fff;margin-bottom:0}.main-navigation .nav-menu>li:last-child{border-bottom:0}}.main-navigation .toggle-submenu{position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:8px;height:30px;background:#fff;border-radius:0}@media (max-width:1199px){.main-navigation .toggle-submenu{display:block!important}}.main-navigation .toggle-submenu:before{content:'';position:absolute;top:18px;right:12px;width:0;height:0;border-left:10px solid transparent;border-right:10px solid transparent;border-top:12px solid #363940}@media (min-width:1200px){.main-navigation .submenu{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}}.main-navigation .submenu li{margin-bottom:0}.main-navigation ul{list-style:none;margin:0 auto;padding:0}@media (min-width:1200px){.main-navigation ul{text-align:center}}.main-navigation ul ul{position:relative;width:100%;background:#fff}@media (min-width:1200px){.main-navigation ul ul.submenu{padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0}}@media (min-width:1200px){.main-navigation ul ul{box-shadow:0 3px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);float:left;position:absolute;top:100%;left:-999em;z-index:99999;width:auto;display:block}}.main-navigation ul ul a{width:auto}@media (min-width:1200px){.main-navigation ul ul a{white-space:nowrap}}.main-navigation li{position:relative;display:block}@media (min-width:1200px){.main-navigation li{display:inline-block}}.main-navigation a{display:block;text-decoration:none;font-size:18px;padding:10px 20px 10px 20px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#363940}@media (min-width:960px) and (max-width:1199px){.main-navigation a{padding-left:40px}}.main-navigation .menu-item-has-children>.submenu{display:none}@media (min-width:1200px){.main-navigation .menu-item-has-children>.submenu{display:block}}.main-navigation .menu-item-has-children li{text-align:left;padding-left:20px;display:block}@media (min-width:960px){.main-navigation .menu-item-has-children li{padding-left:40px}}@media (min-width:1200px){.main-navigation .menu-item-has-children li{padding-left:0}}.main-navigation .menu-item-has-children>a{position:relative;padding-right:27px}@media (min-width:1200px){.main-navigation .menu-item-has-children>a:after{content:'';position:absolute;top:20px;right:12px;width:0;height:0;border-left:6px solid transparent;border-right:6px solid transparent;border-top:8px solid #363940}}.main-navigation .nav-menu{width:100%}@media (min-width:1200px){.main-navigation .nav-menu{padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:10px}}.site-header{position:relative}.site-header>.inner-wrap{position:relative;overflow:hidden;width:calc(100% - 20px)}@media (min-width:960px){.site-header>.inner-wrap{width:calc(100% - 80px)}}@media (min-width:1280px){.site-header>.inner-wrap{width:1200px}}.menu-toggle{display:block;position:absolute;left:-20px}.hamburger-wrapper{position:absolute;width:120px;height:70px;top:calc(50% - 30px)}@media (min-width:1200px){.hamburger-wrapper.desktop{display:none}}.hamburger{padding:20px;display:inline-block;font:inherit;color:inherit;text-transform:none;background-color:transparent;border:0;margin:0;overflow:visible;z-index:10;outline:none;transform:scale(0.8);transform-origin:left}@media (min-width:768px){.hamburger{transform:scale(1)}}.hamburger .label{position:absolute;left:70px;top:20px;color:#000;display:none}@media (min-width:768px){.hamburger .label{display:inline}}.hamburger-box{width:40px;height:24px;display:inline-block;position:relative}.hamburger-inner{display:block;top:50%;margin-top:-2px}.hamburger-inner,.hamburger-inner::before,.hamburger-inner::after{width:40px;height:4px;background-color:#000;border-radius:4px;position:absolute}.hamburger-inner::before,.hamburger-inner::after{content:"";display:block}.hamburger-inner::before{top:-10px}.hamburger-inner::after{bottom:-10px}.search-wrapper{position:absolute;right:10px;top:0;height:100%;z-index:500;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}@media (min-width:960px){.search-wrapper{width:340px;overflow:hidden}}.search-wrapper #search-icon{position:absolute;right:-10px;top:auto;width:30px;height:30px;border:20px solid #fff;border-right-width:40px;display:inline-block;position:relative;z-index:10;transform:scale(0.8);transform-origin:right}@media (min-width:960px){.search-wrapper #search-icon{transform:scale(1);right:-260px}}.search-wrapper .search-form{position:absolute;right:80px;top:calc(50% + 20px);transform:translateX(calc(100% + 80px))}@media (min-width:960px){.search-wrapper .search-form{transform:translateX(280px)}}.search-wrapper .search-field{border:0;border-bottom:2px solid #363940;border-radius:0;position:relative;outline:none;background:#fff;z-index:200;height:auto;top:-40px;width:calc(100vw - 75px);padding-left:10px;-webkit-appearance:none}@media (min-width:960px){.search-wrapper .search-field{top:-35px;height:auto;width:240px;padding-left:5px}}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);-webkit-clip-path:inset(50%);clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute!important;width:1px;word-wrap:normal!important}.entry-content:before,.entry-content:after,.site-header:before,.site-header:after,.site-content:before,.site-content:after{content:"";display:table;table-layout:fixed}.entry-content:after,.site-header:after,.site-content:after{clear:both}.widget-title{text-align:center;margin-top:0;color:#fff;text-transform:uppercase;background:#363940;margin-bottom:20px}aside#secondary p{line-height:1.5}aside#secondary .about-wrapper{padding:20px 0 30px}aside#secondary .about-wrapper .about-image{width:280px;height:280px;margin:0 auto 20px;border-radius:50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-position:center}@media (min-width:960px){aside#secondary .about-wrapper .about-image{width:calc(100% - 80px);margin:0 40px 20px;height:auto;padding-bottom:calc(100% - 80px)}}.content-area{margin:0;width:100%}.site-main{width:100%;float:none}@media (min-width:960px){.site-main{width:calc(66.666667% - 15px);float:left}}.site-content .widget-area{overflow:hidden;width:100%}@media (min-width:960px){.site-content .widget-area{float:right;width:calc(33.3333% - 25px);padding-left:40px;border-left:2px solid #f0f0f0}}.post{margin:0 0 1.5em}.entry-content{margin:1.5em 0 0}.inner-wrap,.site-content{max-width:1280px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px;content:"";display:table;table-layout:fixed;box-sizing:content-box}@media (min-width:960px){.inner-wrap,.site-content{padding:0 40px}}.site-content{margin-top:40px;margin-bottom:40px;box-sizing:border-box;width:100%}.entry-title{text-align:center;margin-top:-5px;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:1.2}@media (min-width:960px){.entry-title{margin-bottom:15px}}body.single .entry-meta{text-align:center;min-height:30px;font-size:14px;font-size:0.875rem;margin-bottom:20px;color:#565656;letter-spacing:1px}body.single .entry-meta .byline{color:#545454}.site-branding{text-align:center;padding:20px 0 10px;min-height:40px;position:relative;left:-10px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center}@media (min-width:768px){.site-branding{padding:30px 0 20px}}.site-branding img{height:auto;width:140px}@media (min-width:768px){.site-branding{min-height:80px}.site-branding img{height:auto;width:240px;max-width:100%}}iframe{max-width:100%}.custom-logo-link{display:inline-block}body{font-size:18px;line-height:1.6}p{font-size:18px;line-height:1.6}a,a:visited{color:#FC851E;text-decoration:none}li>ul{margin:0px 20px}h1,h2,.widget-title{letter-spacing:0.2px}h1,h2{font-family:"Roboto Condensed","Arial Narrow",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif}@media only screen and (max-width:359px){.site-content{padding-left:10px!important;padding-right:10px!important}}.sr-only{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);border:0}html{line-height:1.15;-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%}body{margin:0}h1{font-size:2em;margin:0 0 20px}a{background-color:transparent}img{border-style:none}button,input{font-family:inherit;font-size:100%;line-height:1.15;margin:0}button,input{overflow:visible}button{text-transform:none}button,[type="button"],[type="submit"]{-webkit-appearance:button}button::-moz-focus-inner,[type="button"]::-moz-focus-inner,[type="submit"]::-moz-focus-inner{border-style:none;padding:0}button:-moz-focusring,[type="button"]:-moz-focusring,[type="submit"]:-moz-focusring{outline:1px dotted ButtonText}[type="search"]{-webkit-appearance:textfield;outline-offset:-2px}[type="search"]::-webkit-search-decoration{-webkit-appearance:none}::-webkit-file-upload-button{-webkit-appearance:button;font:inherit}body,button,input{color:#363940;font-family:"Libre Franklin",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.5}h1,h2,.widget-title{clear:both;font-family:"Roboto Condensed","Arial Narrow",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;letter-spacing:1px;font-weight:800;margin-bottom:2px}h1{font-size:32px;font-size:2rem;margin-bottom:20px}h2{font-size:28px;font-size:1.75rem}.widget-title{font-size:18px;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2em;padding:0.4em 0}p{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:20px;color:#363940;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.9}em{font-style:italic}html,body{overflow-x:hidden}html{box-sizing:border-box}*,*:before,*:after{box-sizing:inherit}body{background:#fff}ul{margin:0 0 30px 20px;padding-left:0;line-height:1.5}ul{list-style:disc}li{margin-bottom:10px;color:#363940}li>ul{margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0}img{height:auto;max-width:100%}button{border:1px solid transparent;border-radius:3px;background:#363940;color:#fff;font-family:"Roboto Condensed","Arial Narrow",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;line-height:1;padding:8px 18px;text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:none;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:1px;font-size:16px;font-size:1rem;font-style:normal}input[type="search"]{color:#666;border:1px solid #ccc;border-radius:3px;padding:3px}a{color:#0f5f9f;text-decoration:underline}a:visited{color:#0f5f9f}.main-navigation{clear:both;display:block;width:100%;height:auto;overflow:hidden;max-height:0;position:relative;background-color:transparent;border-top:1px solid #f0f0f0;border-bottom:1px solid #f0f0f0;box-shadow:inset 0 0 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);font-family:"Roboto Condensed","Arial Narrow",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif}.main-navigation .nav-menu>li a{color:#363940}.main-navigation .nav-menu>li .submenu>li>a{color:#363940}.main-navigation .toggle-submenu{position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:8px;height:30px;background:#fff;border-radius:0}.main-navigation .toggle-submenu:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:18px;right:12px;width:0;height:0;border-left:10px solid transparent;border-right:10px solid transparent;border-top:12px solid #363940}.main-navigation .submenu li{margin-bottom:0}.main-navigation ul{list-style:none;margin:0 auto;padding:0}.main-navigation ul ul{position:relative;width:100%;background:#fff}.main-navigation ul ul a{width:auto}.main-navigation li{position:relative;display:block}.main-navigation a{display:block;text-decoration:none;font-size:18px;padding:10px 20px 10px 20px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#363940}.main-navigation .menu-item-has-children>.submenu{display:none}.main-navigation .menu-item-has-children li{text-align:left;padding-left:20px;display:block}.main-navigation .menu-item-has-children>a{position:relative;padding-right:27px}.main-navigation .nav-menu{width:100%}.site-header{position:relative}.site-header>.inner-wrap{position:relative;overflow:hidden;width:calc(100% - 20px)}@media (min-width:1280px){.site-header>.inner-wrap{width:1200px}}.menu-toggle{display:block;position:absolute;left:-20px}.hamburger-wrapper{position:absolute;width:120px;height:70px;top:calc(50% - 30px)}.hamburger{padding:20px;display:inline-block;font:inherit;color:inherit;text-transform:none;background-color:transparent;border:0;margin:0;overflow:visible;z-index:10;outline:none;transform:scale(0.8);transform-origin:left}.hamburger .label{position:absolute;left:70px;top:20px;color:#000;display:none}.hamburger-box{width:40px;height:24px;display:inline-block;position:relative}.hamburger-inner{display:block;top:50%;margin-top:-2px}.hamburger-inner,.hamburger-inner::before,.hamburger-inner::after{width:40px;height:4px;background-color:#000;border-radius:4px;position:absolute}.hamburger-inner::before,.hamburger-inner::after{content:"";display:block}.hamburger-inner::before{top:-10px}.hamburger-inner::after{bottom:-10px}.search-wrapper{position:absolute;right:10px;top:0;height:100%;z-index:500;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.search-wrapper #search-icon{position:absolute;right:-10px;top:auto;width:30px;height:30px;border:20px solid #fff;border-right-width:40px;display:inline-block;position:relative;z-index:10;transform:scale(0.8);transform-origin:right}.search-wrapper .search-form{position:absolute;right:80px;top:calc(50% + 20px);transform:translateX(calc(100% + 80px))}.search-wrapper .search-field{border:0;border-bottom:2px solid #363940;border-radius:0;position:relative;outline:none;background:#fff;z-index:200;height:auto;top:-40px;width:calc(100vw - 75px);padding-left:10px;-webkit-appearance:none}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);-webkit-clip-path:inset(50%);clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute!important;width:1px;word-wrap:normal!important}.entry-content:before,.entry-content:after,.site-header:before,.site-header:after,.site-content:before,.site-content:after{content:"";display:table;table-layout:fixed}.entry-content:after,.site-header:after,.site-content:after{clear:both}.widget-title{text-align:center;margin-top:0;color:#fff;text-transform:uppercase;background:#363940;margin-bottom:20px}aside#secondary p{line-height:1.5}aside#secondary .about-wrapper{padding:20px 0 30px}aside#secondary .about-wrapper .about-image{width:280px;height:280px;margin:0 auto 20px;border-radius:50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-position:center}.content-area{margin:0;width:100%}.site-main{width:100%;float:none}.site-content .widget-area{overflow:hidden;width:100%}.post{margin:0 0 1.5em}.entry-content{margin:1.5em 0 0}.inner-wrap,.site-content{max-width:1280px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px;content:"";display:table;table-layout:fixed;box-sizing:content-box}.site-content{margin-top:40px;margin-bottom:40px;box-sizing:border-box;width:100%}.entry-title{text-align:center;margin-top:-5px;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:1.2}body.single .entry-meta{text-align:center;min-height:30px;font-size:14px;font-size:0.875rem;margin-bottom:20px;color:#565656;letter-spacing:1px}body.single .entry-meta .byline{color:#545454}body.single .entry-meta .term-list:before{content:"\25CF";margin:0 5px}.site-branding{text-align:center;padding:20px 0 10px;min-height:40px;position:relative;left:-10px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center}.site-branding img{height:auto;width:140px}iframe{max-width:100%}.custom-logo-link{display:inline-block}body{font-size:18px;line-height:1.6}p{font-size:18px;line-height:1.6}a,a:visited{color:#FC851E;text-decoration:none}li>ul{margin:0px 20px}h1,h2,.widget-title{letter-spacing:0.2px}h1,h2{font-family:"Roboto Condensed","Arial Narrow",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif}@media only screen and (max-width:359px){.site-content{padding-left:10px!important;padding-right:10px!important}}</style><link rel="preload" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/cache/min/1/0cd627fe94c485054901d3d6b7352490.css" data-rocket-async="style" as="style" onload="this.onload=null;this.rel='stylesheet'" onerror="this.removeAttribute('data-rocket-async')" media="all" data-minify="1" /> <meta name="description" content="The imperfect tense in Spanish is crucial if you want to talk about the past. Click here to learn how to form and use this tense!" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/" /> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Spanish Imperfect Tense 101: Uses, Examples & Conjugations" /> <meta property="og:description" content="The imperfect tense in Spanish is crucial if you want to talk about the past. Click here to learn how to form and use this tense!" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Tell Me In Spanish" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2022-08-11T17:09:49+00:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-09-28T19:07:41+00:00" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="1200" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="675" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:label1" content="Written by" /> <meta name="twitter:data1" content="Daniela Sanchez" /> <meta name="twitter:label2" content="Est. reading time" /> <meta name="twitter:data2" content="6 minutes" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/#website","url":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/","name":"Tell Me In Spanish","description":"Learn Spanish ¡The Fun Way!","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/#primaryimage","url":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations.jpg","contentUrl":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations.jpg","width":1200,"height":675},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/#webpage","url":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/","name":"Spanish Imperfect Tense 101: Uses, Examples & Conjugations","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2022-08-11T17:09:49+00:00","dateModified":"2024-09-28T19:07:41+00:00","author":{"@id":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/#/schema/person/102e71225e6bc687990ae0257956ad42"},"description":"The imperfect tense in Spanish is crucial if you want to talk about the past. Click here to learn how to form and use this tense!","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/blog/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Grammar","item":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Spanish Imperfect Tense 101: Uses, Examples & Conjugations"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/#/schema/person/102e71225e6bc687990ae0257956ad42","name":"Daniela Sanchez","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/#/schema/person/image/","url":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/56ea39f2963f99e96f3c09ca4e186c17?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/56ea39f2963f99e96f3c09ca4e186c17?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Daniela Sanchez"},"description":"¡Hola! Soy Daniela Sanchez, I've been studying Spanish professionally as well as teaching it in Mexico and online for over 10 years. I’ve taught Spanish to a wide array of foreigners from many backgrounds. Over the years, I've made it my mission to work hard on refining many challenging to understand grammar topics to make my students' learning experiences easier, faster and more enjoyable. Read More About Me","sameAs":["https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/about-me/"]}]}</script>  <link href='https://fonts.gstatic.com' crossorigin rel='preconnect' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Tell Me In Spanish » Feed" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Tell Me In Spanish » Comments Feed" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/comments/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Tell Me In Spanish » Spanish Imperfect Tense 101: Uses, Examples & Conjugations Comments Feed" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/feed/" /> <style type="text/css"> img.wp-smiley, img.emoji { display: inline !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; height: 1em !important; width: 1em !important; margin: 0 0.07em !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; background: none !important; padding: 0 !important; } </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> body{--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--duotone--dark-grayscale: url('#wp-duotone-dark-grayscale');--wp--preset--duotone--grayscale: url('#wp-duotone-grayscale');--wp--preset--duotone--purple-yellow: url('#wp-duotone-purple-yellow');--wp--preset--duotone--blue-red: url('#wp-duotone-blue-red');--wp--preset--duotone--midnight: url('#wp-duotone-midnight');--wp--preset--duotone--magenta-yellow: url('#wp-duotone-magenta-yellow');--wp--preset--duotone--purple-green: url('#wp-duotone-purple-green');--wp--preset--duotone--blue-orange: url('#wp-duotone-blue-orange');--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} </style> <link rel='preload' href='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/css/min-width768.css?ver=6.0.9' data-rocket-async="style" as="style" onload="this.onload=null;this.rel='stylesheet'" onerror="this.removeAttribute('data-rocket-async')" type='text/css' media='(min-width: 768px)' /> <link rel='preload' href='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/css/min-width960.css?ver=6.0.9' data-rocket-async="style" as="style" onload="this.onload=null;this.rel='stylesheet'" onerror="this.removeAttribute('data-rocket-async')" type='text/css' media='(min-width: 960px)' /> <link rel='preload' href='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/css/min-width1200.css?ver=6.0.9' data-rocket-async="style" as="style" onload="this.onload=null;this.rel='stylesheet'" onerror="this.removeAttribute('data-rocket-async')" type='text/css' media='(min-width: 1200px)' /> <style id='custom-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .search-wrapper #search-icon{background:url("https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/img/search-icon.png") center/cover no-repeat #fff;}.share-container .email-btn:before{background:url("https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/img/envelope.svg") center/cover no-repeat;}.share-container .print-btn:before{background:url("https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/img/print-icon.svg") center/cover no-repeat;}.externallinkimage{background-image:url("https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/img/extlink.png")} </style> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.6.0' id='jquery-core-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.3.2' id='jquery-migrate-js'></script> <script data-minify="1" type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/cache/min/1/wp-content/plugins/sherpa-plugin-3/assets/js/flipdown.js?ver=1717298390' id='affiliate-link-sherpa-flipdown-js-js'></script> <script data-minify="1" type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/cache/min/1/wp-content/plugins/stop-user-enumeration/frontend/js/frontend.js?ver=1717298390' id='stop-user-enumeration-js'></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" type="application/json" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/10441" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <link rel="wlwmanifest" type="application/wlwmanifest+xml" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-includes/wlwmanifest.xml" /> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.0.9" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/?p=10441' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&format=xml" /> <style type="text/css" id="et-social-custom-css"> </style><link rel="preload" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/plugins/monarch/core/admin/fonts/modules.ttf" as="font" crossorigin="anonymous"><link rel="pingback" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/xmlrpc.php"><meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Spanish Imperfect Tense 101: Uses, Examples & Conjugations | Tell Me In Spanish" /> <meta property="og:description" content="The imperfect in Spanish is an essential tense for anybody who wants to speak this language. I’ll put it this way: you can’t give details…" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Tell Me In Spanish" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations-1024x576.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="description" content="The imperfect in Spanish is an essential tense for anybody who wants to speak this language. I’ll put it this way: you can’t give details…" /> <meta name="category" content="Grammar" /> <style type="text/css">.blue-message { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #3399ff; color: #ffffff; text-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px; padding: 10px; } .green-message { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #8cc14c; color: #ffffff; text-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px; padding: 10px; } .orange-message { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #faa732; color: #ffffff; text-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px; padding: 10px; } .red-message { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #da4d31; color: #ffffff; text-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px; padding: 10px; } .grey-message { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #53555c; color: #ffffff; text-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px; padding: 10px; } .left-block { background: none repeat scroll 0 0px, radial-gradient(ellipse at center center, #ffffff 0%, #f2f2f2 100%) repeat scroll 0 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #8b8e97; padding: 10px; margin: 10px; float: left; } .right-block { background: none repeat scroll 0 0px, radial-gradient(ellipse at center center, #ffffff 0%, #f2f2f2 100%) repeat scroll 0 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #8b8e97; padding: 10px; margin: 10px; float: right; } .blockquotes { background: none; border-left: 5px solid #f1f1f1; color: #8B8E97; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; padding-left: 15px; padding: 10px; width: 60%; float: left; } </style> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com"> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-tmis_logo-32x32.png" sizes="32x32" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-tmis_logo-192x192.png" sizes="192x192" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-tmis_logo-180x180.png" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-tmis_logo-270x270.png" />  <style> </style>  <noscript><style id="rocket-lazyload-nojs-css">.rll-youtube-player, [data-lazy-src]{display:none !important;}</style></noscript><script> /*! loadCSS rel=preload polyfill. [c]2017 Filament Group, Inc. MIT License */ (function(w){"use strict";if(!w.loadCSS){w.loadCSS=function(){}} var rp=loadCSS.relpreload={};rp.support=(function(){var ret;try{ret=w.document.createElement("link").relList.supports("preload")}catch(e){ret=!1} return function(){return ret}})();rp.bindMediaToggle=function(link){var finalMedia=link.media||"all";function enableStylesheet(){link.media=finalMedia} if(link.addEventListener){link.addEventListener("load",enableStylesheet)}else if(link.attachEvent){link.attachEvent("onload",enableStylesheet)} setTimeout(function(){link.rel="stylesheet";link.media="only x"});setTimeout(enableStylesheet,3000)};rp.poly=function(){if(rp.support()){return} var links=w.document.getElementsByTagName("link");for(var i=0;i<links.length;i++){var link=links[i];if(link.rel==="preload"&&link.getAttribute("as")==="style"&&!link.getAttribute("data-loadcss")){link.setAttribute("data-loadcss",!0);rp.bindMediaToggle(link)}}};if(!rp.support()){rp.poly();var run=w.setInterval(rp.poly,500);if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load",function(){rp.poly();w.clearInterval(run)})}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload",function(){rp.poly();w.clearInterval(run)})}} if(typeof exports!=="undefined"){exports.loadCSS=loadCSS} else{w.loadCSS=loadCSS}}(typeof global!=="undefined"?global:this)) </script> </head> <body class="post-template-default single single-post postid-10441 single-format-standard et_monarch"> <div id="page" class="site"> <a class="skip-link screen-reader-text" href="#content">Skip to content</a> <header id="masthead" class="site-header"> <div class="inner-wrap"> <div class="hamburger-wrapper"> <button class="hamburger hamburger--squeeze menu-toggle" type="button" aria-label="Menu" aria-controls="primary-menu" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="hamburger-box"> <span class="hamburger-inner"></span> </span> <span class="label">MENU</span> </button> </div> <div class="site-branding"> <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/" class="custom-logo-link" rel="home" itemprop="url"><img width="300" height="188" src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tmis_logo_xs-300x188.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Tell Me In Spanish Logo" srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tmis_logo_xs-300x188.png 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tmis_logo_xs.png 480w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>   </div> <div class="search-wrapper"> <a href="#open" id="search-icon" style="background: url(https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/img/search-icon.png) center/cover no-repeat #fff;"><span class="sr-only">Search</span></a> <div class="search-form-wrapper"> <form role="search" method="get" class="search-form" action="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/"> <style> .search-wrapper.search-active .search-field { width: 200px; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; } .search-wrapper button[type="submit"] { display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; top: -35px; position: relative; background-color: transparent; height: 30px; width: 30px; padding: 0; margin: 0; background-image: url("https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/img/search-icon.png"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; } .search-wrapper.search-active button[type="submit"] { display: inline-block !important; } </style> <label for="s"> <span class="screen-reader-text">Search for:</span> </label> <input type="search" id="search-field" class="search-field" placeholder="Search …" value="" name="s" /> <button type="submit" class="search-submit" style="display:none;"><span class="screen-reader-text"></span></button> </form> </div> </div> </div> <nav id="site-navigation" class="main-navigation">  <div class="menu-main-menu-container"><ul id="primary-menu" class="inner-wrap"><li id="menu-item-9848" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-9848"><a href="#">Vocabulary</a> <button type='button' class='toggle-submenu'><span class='sr-only'>Submenu Toggle</span> </button><ul class='submenu'> <li id="menu-item-9850" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9850"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/spanish-vocabulary-guide/">Learning Spanish Vocabulary</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9849" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9849"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/spanish-synonyms/">Common Synonyms</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9851" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9851"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/everyday-spanish-vocabulary/">Spanish Daily Vocabulary</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-9641" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-9641"><a href="#">Verbs</a> <button type='button' class='toggle-submenu'><span class='sr-only'>Submenu Toggle</span> </button><ul class='submenu'> <li id="menu-item-17459" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-17459"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/verbs/spanish-verbs/">Spanish Verbs + Tips</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9638" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9638"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/ar-verbs-in-spanish/">-AR Verbs</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9639" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9639"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/ir-verbs-in-spanish/">-IR Verbs</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9640" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9640"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/er-verbs-in-spanish/">-ER Verbs</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-9761" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-9761"><a href="#">Mexico</a> <button type='button' class='toggle-submenu'><span class='sr-only'>Submenu Toggle</span> </button><ul class='submenu'> <li id="menu-item-9763" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9763"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/mexican-spanish/">Tips, Resources & FAQs</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9762" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9762"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/mexican-slang-spanish/">Mexican Slang Spanish</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-9700" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-9700"><a href="#">Grammar</a> <button type='button' class='toggle-submenu'><span class='sr-only'>Submenu Toggle</span> </button><ul class='submenu'> <li id="menu-item-9703" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9703"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/spanish-grammar-guide/">Tips, Resources & Basic Rules</a></li> <li id="menu-item-14107" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-14107"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/parts-of-speech-in-spanish/">Parts of Speech in Spanish</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9702" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9702"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar-structures/">Resources to Form Phrases</a></li> <li id="menu-item-10077" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-10077"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/spanish-tenses/">Tenses & Verb Forms</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-9636" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9636"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/spanish-quizzes/">Practice Quizzes</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6886" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-6886"><a href="#">Learning Resources</a> <button type='button' class='toggle-submenu'><span class='sr-only'>Submenu Toggle</span> </button><ul class='submenu'> <li id="menu-item-18433" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-18433"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/free-video-lessons/">FREE Video Lessons</a></li> <li id="menu-item-10272" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-10272"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/spanish-learning-kit/">Complete Spanish Roadmap</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9684" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9684"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/learning-spanish/">Tips, Reasons & Resources</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-19169" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-19169"><a href="https://app.tellmeinspanish.com/login">Course Login</a></li> </ul></div> </nav> </header> <div id="content" class="site-content"> <div id="primary" class="content-area default"> <main id="main" class="site-main"> <article id="post-10441" class="post-10441 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-grammar"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title">Spanish Imperfect Tense 101: Uses, Examples & Conjugations</h1> <div class="entry-meta"> <meta itemprop="datePublished" content="2022-08-11" /><span class="byline"> Written by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/author/dsanchez/">Daniela Sanchez</a></span> </span><meta itemprop="author" content="Daniela Sanchez" /><link id="page-url" itemprop="mainEntityOfPage" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/" /><span class="term-list"> in <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/" rel="category tag">Grammar</a></span><span class="byline">&nbsp</span><span class="posted-on">Last Updated September 28, 2024</span><meta itemprop="dateModified" content="September 28, 2024" /> </div> </header> <div class="post-thumbnail" itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject"> <img width="1200" height="675" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20675'%3E%3C/svg%3E" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations.jpg 1200w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations-768x432.jpg 768w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" data-lazy-src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations.jpg" /><noscript><img width="1200" height="675" src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations.jpg 1200w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></noscript> </div> <div class="entry-content" itemProp="articleBody"> <p>The imperfect in Spanish is an essential tense for anybody who wants to speak this language. I’ll put it this way: you can’t give details about your past without using this tense. Since it’s crucial for your communication, in this guide, you’ll learn when to use and how to conjugate imperfect verbs in Spanish. </p> <p>Here is a quick overview of the topics we’ll cover:</p> <ul class="toc-list"><li><a href="#how_to_form_the_imperfect_tense">How to Form the Imperfect Tense</a></li><li><a href="#irregular_verbs">Irregular verbs</a></li><li><a href="#using_the_imperfect_to_talk_about_the_past">Using the Imperfect to Talk About the Past</a><ul><li><a href="#words_used_with_spanish_imperfect">Words used with Spanish imperfect</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#key_points">Key Points</a></li></ul> <p>If you’re struggling with the imperfect in Spanish, you’re not alone! Let’s get on with it, so you can start applying this tense correctly. </p> <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <iframe loading="lazy" title="Spanish Imperfect Tense: Describe the Past & Tell Stories in Spanish" width="640" height="360" src="about:blank" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen data-rocket-lazyload="fitvidscompatible" data-lazy-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iC7Eiae32BI?feature=oembed"></iframe><noscript><iframe title="Spanish Imperfect Tense: Describe the Past & Tell Stories in Spanish" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iC7Eiae32BI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></noscript> </div></figure> <h2 id="how_to_form_the_imperfect_tense">Conjugate the Imperfect Tense in Spanish</h2> <p>First, let’s see how to form imperfect verbs in Spanish. </p> <p>Like most <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/spanish-tenses/">tenses</a>, the Spanish imperfect is formed by removing the <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/infinitive-verbs-in-spanish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infinitive form</a> ending (-AR, -ER, or <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/ir-verbs-in-spanish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">-IR</a>) and adding the corresponding ending to the verb stem. </p> <p>The imperfect endings for <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/ar-verbs-in-spanish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">-AR verbs</a> are:</p> <div class="wp-container-1 wp-block-group table-responsive"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"> <table class="wp-block-advgb-table advgb-table-frontend bordered"><thead><tr><th style="text-align:center;border-style:none;background-color:#ffb44f"><strong>Subject</strong></th><th style="text-align:center;border-style:none;background-color:#ffb44f"><strong>Verb -AR ending</strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Yo</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-aba</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Tú</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-abas</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Él, Ella, Usted</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-aba</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Nosotros</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-ábamos</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Vosotros</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-abais </td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Ustedes, Ellos, Ellas</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-aban</td></tr></tbody></table> </div></div> <p class="has-text-align-center">Yo <strong>nad<span style="text-decoration: underline;">aba</span> </strong>todos los días.<br>I <strong>swam</strong> every day. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Tú <strong>nad<span style="text-decoration: underline;">abas</span> </strong>los miércoles. <br>You <strong>swam </strong>on Wednesdays.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Sofía <strong>se pein<span style="text-decoration: underline;">aba</span> </strong>sola.  <br>Sofía <strong>used to do </strong>her hair alone. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Nosotros <strong>viaj<span style="text-decoration: underline;">ábamos</span> </strong>mucho.<br>We <strong>traveled </strong>a lot. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Mis tías siempre nos <strong>regalab<span style="text-decoration: underline;">an</span></strong> ropa. <br>My aunts always <strong>gave </strong>us clothes. </p> <p>Check example #3. <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/verbs/spanish-reflexive-verbs-conjugation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reflexive verbs</a> are not conjugated differently in the imperfect tense: just make sure you place the pronoun before the verb!</p> <p>-IR and -ER verbs <strong>share the same imperfect endings</strong>:</p> <div class="wp-container-2 wp-block-group table-responsive"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"> <table class="wp-block-advgb-table advgb-table-frontend bordered"><thead><tr><th style="text-align:center;border-style:none;background-color:#ffb44f"><strong>Subject </strong></th><th style="text-align:center;border-style:none;background-color:#ffb44f"><strong>-ER & -IR Verbs</strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Yo</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-ía</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Tú</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-ías</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Él, Ella, Usted</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-ía</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Nosotros</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-íamos</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Vosotros</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-íais</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Ustedes, Ellos, Ellas</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">-ían</td></tr></tbody></table> </div></div> <p class="has-text-align-center">Yo no <strong>hac<span style="text-decoration: underline;">ía</span></strong> mi tarea. <br>I <strong>didn’t do </strong>my homework. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Tú <strong>viv<span style="text-decoration: underline;">ías</span> </strong>muy lejos. <br>You <strong>used to live</strong> very far. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">En Navidad, mi prima nunca <strong>dorm<span style="text-decoration: underline;">ía</span>. </strong><br>My cousin never <strong>slept </strong>on Christmas. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Los martes vosotros <strong>sol<span style="text-decoration: underline;">íais</span> </strong>trabajar. <br>You <strong>used to </strong>work on Tuesdays. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Ellas siempre se <strong>com<span style="text-decoration: underline;">ían</span> </strong>mis galletas. <br>They always <strong>ate </strong>my cookies.  </p> <h2 id="irregular_verbs">Irregular Verbs in the Imperfect Tense</h2> <p>There are <strong>only three <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/verbs/spanish-irregular-verbs/">irregular verbs</a></strong> and <strong>no <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/verbs/stem-changing-verbs-spanish/">stem-changing verbs</a></strong> in the imperfect tense. This is why the imperfect tense is such an easy tense to learn, at least, from a conjugation perspective. </p> <p>The three irregular verbs in the imperfect tense that you need to learn are: </p> <ul><li><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/verbs/ser-conjugation/">Ser</a> – <em>To be</em></li><li><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/verbs/ver-conjugation/">Ver</a> – <em>To see</em></li><li><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/verbs/ir-conjugation/">Ir</a> – <em>To go </em></li></ul> <div class="wp-container-3 wp-block-group table-responsive"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"> <table class="wp-block-advgb-table advgb-table-frontend bordered"><thead><tr><th style="text-align:center;border-style:none;background-color:#ffb44f"><strong>Subject </strong></th><th style="text-align:center;border-style:none;background-color:#ffb44f"><strong>Ser </strong></th><th style="text-align:center;border-style:none;background-color:#ffb44f"><strong>Ir </strong></th><th style="text-align:center;border-style:none;background-color:#ffb44f"><strong>Ver</strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Yo</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Era</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Iba</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Veía</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Tú</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Eras</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Ibas</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Veías</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Él, Ella, Usted</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Era</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Iba</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Veían</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Nosotros</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Éramos</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Íbamos</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Veíamos</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Vosotros</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Erais</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Ibais</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Veíais</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Ustedes, Ellos, Ellas</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Eran</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Iban</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Veían</td></tr></tbody></table> </div></div> <p class="take-notes"><strong>Take Note: </strong><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/ir-vs-irse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Irse</em></a><em>, </em>the reflexive form of the verb ‘ir’, follows the same conjugation. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Sonia <span style="text-decoration: underline;">se</span> <strong>iba </strong>antes de las seis. <br>Sonia <strong>used to </strong>leave before six. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img width="1024" height="576" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3C/svg%3E" alt="" class="wp-image-10429" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-conjugation-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-conjugation-in-Spanish-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-conjugation-in-Spanish-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-conjugation-in-Spanish.jpeg 1200w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" data-lazy-src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-conjugation-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg" /><noscript><img width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-conjugation-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-10429" srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-conjugation-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-conjugation-in-Spanish-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-conjugation-in-Spanish-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Imperfect-conjugation-in-Spanish.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></noscript></figure> <h2 id="using_the_imperfect_to_talk_about_the_past">When to Use Imperfect in Spanish</h2> <p>A crucial rule of the imperfect in Spanish is that this tense is used to talk about actions that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">occur repeatedly</span> in the past or whose<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> beginning or ending is unspecified</span>. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img width="1024" height="576" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3C/svg%3E" alt="" class="wp-image-10432" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-the-Imperfect-Tense-Works-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-the-Imperfect-Tense-Works-in-Spanish-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-the-Imperfect-Tense-Works-in-Spanish-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-the-Imperfect-Tense-Works-in-Spanish.jpeg 1200w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" data-lazy-src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-the-Imperfect-Tense-Works-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg" /><noscript><img width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-the-Imperfect-Tense-Works-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-10432" srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-the-Imperfect-Tense-Works-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-the-Imperfect-Tense-Works-in-Spanish-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-the-Imperfect-Tense-Works-in-Spanish-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-the-Imperfect-Tense-Works-in-Spanish.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></noscript></figure> <p>So when talking about the past, the imperfect tense is used to: </p> <ul><li><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/how-to-tell-time-in-spanish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tell time</a> </li><li>Say someone’s age</li><li>Describe past habits and routines </li><li><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-adjectives-to-describe-a-person/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Describe people</a>, places, and circumstances </li><li>Refer to simultaneous actions</li></ul> <p>The imperfect in Spanish is a tense related to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">narration</span>. In other words, it <strong>places </strong>you in the past and <strong>tells </strong>you how <span style="text-decoration: underline;">things</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">actions</span>, or <span style="text-decoration: underline;">people were</span>. For this reason, it’s common to use it when sharing memories or telling stories. </p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <iframe loading="lazy" title="The Imperfect Tense in Spanish: 5 Common Uses + Quiz" width="640" height="360" src="about:blank" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen data-rocket-lazyload="fitvidscompatible" data-lazy-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8IO-iWZkI9Y?feature=oembed"></iframe><noscript><iframe title="The Imperfect Tense in Spanish: 5 Common Uses + Quiz" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8IO-iWZkI9Y?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></noscript> </div></figure> <h3>Sentences with the imperfect tense</h3> <p>Below you’ll find some examples of the different uses of the imperfect tense. </p> <p><strong>Telling time in the past</strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center phrase-structure"><strong>[<a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/verbs/ser-conjugation/#Imperfect-tense">‘Ser’ imperfect tense</a>] + [<a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/guide-to-spanish-articles/">definite article</a>] + [complement]</strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Eran </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">las dos</span> cuando Maurice llegó. <br>It <strong>was </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">two</span> when Maurice arrived. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Creo que <strong>era </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">la una y veinte</span>. <br>I think it <strong>was </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">one-twenty</span>.</p> <p><strong>Saying your age </strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center phrase-structure"><strong>[<a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/verbs/tener-conjugation/#Imperfect-tense">‘Tener’ imperfect tense</a>] +<em> (number)</em></strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Yo <strong>tenía </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">nueve años</span> cuando nos mudamos. <br>I <strong>was </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">nine years</span> old when we moved. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">En 1990, Laurie y Julia <strong>tenían</strong> veinte años. <br>In 1990, Laurie and Julia <strong>were </strong>twenty years old.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center">¿Cuántos años <strong>tenías</strong> cuando conociste a mi papá?<br>How old <strong>were</strong> you when you met dad?</p> <p><strong>Describing past habits and routines</strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center phrase-structure"><strong>[Verb in imperfect tense] + [complement]</strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Jackie y yo <strong>jugábamos </strong>todos los días.<br>Jackie and I <strong>played </strong>every day. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Los jueves <strong>iba </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">a<strong> </strong>la casa de mis abuelos</span>. <br>I <strong>went to </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">my grandparents’ house</span> on Thursdays. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Cuando era niña, <strong>me gustaba</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">comer chocolate</span>.<br>When I was a child, <strong>I liked</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">to eat chocolate</span>.</p> <p><strong>Describing places, people or circumstances</strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center phrase-structure"><strong>[Verb in imperfect tense] + [complement]</strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Paulina <strong>era </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">muy bonita</span>.<br>Paulina <strong>used to be</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">very pretty</span>.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center">El día que conocí a Juan <strong>hacía </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">mucho frío</span>. <br>The day I met Juan <strong>was </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">very cold</span>. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Me vine porque el estacionamiento <strong>estaba </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">lleno</span>. <br>I came back because the parking lot <strong>was</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">full</span>. </p> <p><strong>Referring to simultaneous actions</strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center phrase-structure"><strong>[Verb in imperfect tense] + [complement]</strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Yo <strong>leía </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">mientras</span> Zoey <strong>lavaba </strong>los trastes.<br>I <strong>read </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">while</span> Zoe <strong>washed </strong>the dishes. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Mark <strong>cocinaba</strong> mientras yo <strong>terminaba </strong>el proyecto. <br>Mark <strong>cooked </strong>while I <strong>finished </strong>the project. </p> <p>A great way to solidify your knowledge of the imperfect tense is by practicing it. Take this <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/quiz/imperfect-tense-quiz/">Sp</a><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/quiz/imperfect-tense-quiz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anish Imperfect practice quiz</a>.</p> <h3 id="words_used_with_spanish_imperfect">Trigger words for the imperfect tense</h3> <p>Below is a table with some words that we frequently use in Spanish with the imperfect tense:</p> <div class="wp-container-4 wp-block-group table-responsive"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"> <table class="wp-block-advgb-table advgb-table-frontend bordered"><thead><tr><th style="text-align:center;border-style:none;background-color:#ffb44f"><strong>Spanish</strong></th><th style="text-align:center;border-style:none;background-color:#ffb44f"><strong>English </strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Antes</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Before</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">A veces</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Sometimes</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Cada año</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Every year</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Cuando</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">When</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Entonces</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Then</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">En aquella época</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Back then</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">En ese tiempo</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">In that time</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Los lunes*</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">On Mondays</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Mientras</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">While</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Nunca</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Never</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Siempre</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Always</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Todos los días**</td><td style="text-align:center;border-style:none">Every day</td></tr></tbody></table> </div></div> <p>* You can replace ‘lunes’ with another <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/vocab/days-of-the-week-in-spanish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">day of the week</a>.<br>**You can replace ‘días’, with <em>meses, semanas, </em>or days of the week. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Yo <span style="text-decoration: underline;">jugaba</span> con mi perro <strong>todos los días. </strong><br>I <span style="text-decoration: underline;">played</span> with my dog <strong>every day</strong>.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center">Mi hermano <strong>nunca</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">quería</span> comer brócoli. <br>My brother <strong>never</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">wanted</span><strong> </strong>to eat broccoli </p> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Cuando</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">éramos</span> niñas, Leticia y yo <span style="text-decoration: underline;">usábamos</span> la misma ropa. <br><strong>When</strong> we <span style="text-decoration: underline;">were</span> kids, Leticia and I <span style="text-decoration: underline;">used</span> the same clothes.</p> <p>Whenever you are talking about the <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/past-tense-spanish/">past in Spanish</a> and need to use one of these trigger words (or a similar time marker), you’ll know you likely need to use the imperfect tense.</p> <p class="take-notes"><strong>Take Note: </strong>Some of the trigger words for the imperfect can also be used in the <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/present-tense-spanish/">present tense</a>. Why? Because these tenses are used to talk about habits and routines at different points in time. </p> <h2 id="key_points">Key Points: Rules to Use the Imperfect in Spanish</h2> <p>You can’t talk about the past in Spanish without knowing how to use the imperfect tense. Below, you’ll find some key points about this tense and a chart that will help you determine if you need this tense: </p> <ul><li>The imperfect in Spanish <strong>narrates </strong>or provides <strong>background information </strong>about a past event. </li><li>It’s usually applied when sharing <strong>memories </strong>or <strong>telling </strong>stories. </li><li>The imperfect tense is used to:<ul><li><strong>Describe </strong>people, places and things in the past. </li><li><strong>Tell time </strong>and someone’s age. </li><li>Refer<strong> </strong>to <strong>simultaneous</strong> events or actions. </li><li>Talk about <strong>habits, </strong>and <strong>routines</strong> in the past. </li></ul></li><li>There are only <strong>three irregular </strong>verbs in the imperfect tense (‘ser’, ‘ir’, and ‘ver’).</li><li>Unlike <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-preterite/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preterite</a>, the <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/preterite-vs-imperfect/">imperfect tense</a> in Spanish refers to <strong>actions without a specific</strong> ending or beginning. </li></ul> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img width="1024" height="576" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3C/svg%3E" alt="" class="wp-image-10431" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Uses-of-Imperfect-Tense-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Uses-of-Imperfect-Tense-in-Spanish-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Uses-of-Imperfect-Tense-in-Spanish-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Uses-of-Imperfect-Tense-in-Spanish.jpeg 1200w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" data-lazy-src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Uses-of-Imperfect-Tense-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg" /><noscript><img width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Uses-of-Imperfect-Tense-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-10431" srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Uses-of-Imperfect-Tense-in-Spanish-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Uses-of-Imperfect-Tense-in-Spanish-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Uses-of-Imperfect-Tense-in-Spanish-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Uses-of-Imperfect-Tense-in-Spanish.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></noscript></figure> <div class="widget-odd widget-last widget-first widget-1 awac-wrapper"><div class="awac widget block-2"><div id="cbox-K28g94Ae11oBEU7J"></div></div></div><div class="et_social_inline et_social_mobile_on et_social_inline_bottom"> <div class="et_social_networks et_social_autowidth et_social_simple et_social_rounded et_social_top et_social_no_animation et_social_outer_dark"> <ul class="et_social_icons_container"><li class="et_social_facebook"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&t=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="facebook" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="inline"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_facebook"></i><span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_twitter"> <a href="http://twitter.com/share?text=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="twitter" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="inline"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_twitter"></i><span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_pinterest"> <a href="#" class="et_social_share_pinterest" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="pinterest" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="inline"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_pinterest"></i><span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_reddit"> <a href="http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&title=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="reddit" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="inline"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_reddit"></i><span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_linkedin"> <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&title=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="linkedin" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="inline"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_linkedin"></i><span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_buffer"> <a href="https://bufferapp.com/add?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&title=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="buffer" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="inline"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_buffer"></i><span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_evernote"> <a href="http://www.evernote.com/clip.action?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&title=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="evernote" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="inline"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_evernote"></i><span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_gmail"> <a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?view=cm&fs=1&su=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&ui=2&tf=1" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="gmail" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="inline"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_gmail"></i><span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li></ul> </div> </div><span class="et_social_bottom_trigger"></span> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> </footer> </article> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","name":"Spanish Imperfect Tense 101: Uses, Examples & Conjugations","url":"https:\/\/www.tellmeinspanish.com\/grammar\/spanish-imperfect-tense\/","articleBody":"The imperfect in Spanish is an essential tense for anybody who wants to speak this language. I\u2019ll put it this way: you can\u2019t give details about your past without using this tense. Since it\u2019s crucial for your communication, in this guide, you\u2019ll learn when to use and how to conjugate imperfect verbs in Spanish.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHere is a quick overview of the topics we\u2019ll cover:\n\n\n\nHow to Form the Imperfect TenseIrregular verbsUsing the Imperfect to Talk About the PastWords used with Spanish imperfectKey Points\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re struggling with the imperfect in Spanish, you\u2019re not alone! Let\u2019s get on with it, so you can start applying this tense correctly.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/iC7Eiae32BI\n\n\n\n\nConjugate the Imperfect Tense in Spanish\n\n\n\nFirst, let\u2019s see how to form imperfect verbs in Spanish. \n\n\n\nLike most tenses, the Spanish imperfect is formed by removing the infinitive form ending (-AR, -ER, or -IR) and adding the corresponding ending to the verb stem. \n\n\n\nThe imperfect endings for -AR verbs are:\n\n\n\n\nSubjectVerb -AR endingYo-abaT\u00fa-abas\u00c9l, Ella, Usted-abaNosotros-\u00e1bamosVosotros-abais Ustedes, Ellos, Ellas-aban\n\n\n\n\nYo nadaba todos los d\u00edas.I swam every day. \n\n\n\nT\u00fa nadabas los mi\u00e9rcoles. You swam on Wednesdays.\n\n\n\nSof\u00eda se peinaba sola.  Sof\u00eda used to do her hair alone. \n\n\n\nNosotros viaj\u00e1bamos mucho.We traveled a lot. \n\n\n\nMis t\u00edas siempre nos regalaban ropa. My aunts always gave us clothes. \n\n\n\nCheck example #3. Reflexive verbs are not conjugated differently in the imperfect tense: just make sure you place the pronoun before the verb!\n\n\n\n-IR and -ER verbs share the same imperfect endings:\n\n\n\n\nSubject -ER & -IR VerbsYo-\u00edaT\u00fa-\u00edas\u00c9l, Ella, Usted-\u00edaNosotros-\u00edamosVosotros-\u00edaisUstedes, Ellos, Ellas-\u00edan\n\n\n\n\nYo no hac\u00eda mi tarea. I didn\u2019t do my homework. \n\n\n\nT\u00fa viv\u00edas muy lejos. You used to live very far. \n\n\n\nEn Navidad, mi prima nunca dorm\u00eda. My cousin never slept on Christmas. \n\n\n\nLos martes vosotros sol\u00edais trabajar. You used to work on Tuesdays. \n\n\n\nEllas siempre se com\u00edan mis galletas. They always ate my cookies.  \n\n\n\nIrregular Verbs in the Imperfect Tense\n\n\n\nThere are only three irregular verbs and no stem-changing verbs in the imperfect tense. This is why the imperfect tense is such an easy tense to learn, at least, from a conjugation perspective. \n\n\n\nThe three irregular verbs in the imperfect tense that you need to learn are: \n\n\n\nSer - To beVer - To seeIr - To go \n\n\n\n\nSubject Ser Ir VerYoEraIbaVe\u00edaT\u00faErasIbasVe\u00edas\u00c9l, Ella, UstedEraIbaVe\u00edanNosotros\u00c9ramos\u00cdbamosVe\u00edamosVosotrosEraisIbaisVe\u00edaisUstedes, Ellos, EllasEranIbanVe\u00edan\n\n\n\n\nTake Note: Irse, the reflexive form of the verb \u2018ir\u2019, follows the same conjugation. \n\n\n\nSonia se iba antes de las seis. Sonia used to leave before six. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen to Use Imperfect in Spanish\n\n\n\nA crucial rule of the imperfect in Spanish is that this tense is used to talk about actions that occur repeatedly in the past or whose beginning or ending is unspecified. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSo when talking about the past, the imperfect tense is used to: \n\n\n\nTell time Say someone\u2019s ageDescribe past habits and routines Describe people, places, and circumstances Refer to simultaneous actions\n\n\n\nThe imperfect in Spanish is a tense related to narration. In other words, it places you in the past and tells you how things, actions, or people were. For this reason, it\u2019s common to use it when sharing memories or telling stories. \n\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/8IO-iWZkI9Y\n\n\n\n\nSentences with the imperfect tense\n\n\n\nBelow you\u2019ll find some examples of the different uses of the imperfect tense. \n\n\n\nTelling time in the past\n\n\n\n[\u2018Ser\u2019 imperfect tense] + [definite article] + [complement]\n\n\n\nEran las dos cuando Maurice lleg\u00f3. It was two when Maurice arrived. \n\n\n\nCreo que era la una y veinte. I think it was one-twenty.\n\n\n\nSaying your age \n\n\n\n[\u2018Tener\u2019 imperfect tense] + (number)\n\n\n\nYo ten\u00eda nueve a\u00f1os cuando nos mudamos. I was nine years old when we moved. \n\n\n\nEn 1990, Laurie y Julia ten\u00edan veinte a\u00f1os. In 1990, Laurie and Julia were twenty years old.\n\n\n\n\u00bfCu\u00e1ntos a\u00f1os ten\u00edas cuando conociste a mi pap\u00e1?How old were you when you met dad?\n\n\n\nDescribing past habits and routines\n\n\n\n[Verb in imperfect tense] + [complement]\n\n\n\nJackie y yo jug\u00e1bamos todos los d\u00edas.Jackie and I played every day. \n\n\n\nLos jueves iba a la casa de mis abuelos. I went to my grandparents\u2019 house on Thursdays. \n\n\n\nCuando era ni\u00f1a, me gustaba comer chocolate.When I was a child, I liked to eat chocolate.\n\n\n\nDescribing places, people or circumstances\n\n\n\n[Verb in imperfect tense] + [complement]\n\n\n\nPaulina era muy bonita.Paulina used to be very pretty.\n\n\n\nEl d\u00eda que conoc\u00ed a Juan hac\u00eda mucho fr\u00edo. The day I met Juan was very cold. \n\n\n\nMe vine porque el estacionamiento estaba lleno. I came back because the parking lot was full. \n\n\n\nReferring to simultaneous actions\n\n\n\n[Verb in imperfect tense] + [complement]\n\n\n\nYo le\u00eda mientras Zoey lavaba los trastes.I read while Zoe washed the dishes. \n\n\n\nMark cocinaba mientras yo terminaba el proyecto. Mark cooked while I finished the project. \n\n\n\nA great way to solidify your knowledge of the imperfect tense is by practicing it. Take this Spanish Imperfect practice quiz.\n\n\n\nTrigger words for the imperfect tense\n\n\n\nBelow is a table with some words that we frequently use in Spanish with the imperfect tense:\n\n\n\n\nSpanishEnglish AntesBeforeA vecesSometimesCada a\u00f1oEvery yearCuandoWhenEntoncesThenEn aquella \u00e9pocaBack thenEn ese tiempoIn that timeLos lunes*On MondaysMientrasWhileNuncaNeverSiempreAlwaysTodos los d\u00edas**Every day\n\n\n\n\n* You can replace \u2018lunes\u2019 with another day of the week.**You can replace \u2018d\u00edas\u2019, with meses, semanas, or days of the week. \n\n\n\nYo jugaba con mi perro todos los d\u00edas. I played with my dog every day.\n\n\n\nMi hermano nunca quer\u00eda comer br\u00f3coli. My brother never wanted to eat broccoli \n\n\n\nCuando \u00e9ramos ni\u00f1as, Leticia y yo us\u00e1bamos la misma ropa. When we were kids, Leticia and I used the same clothes.\n\n\n\nWhenever you are talking about the past in Spanish and need to use one of these trigger words (or a similar time marker), you\u2019ll know you likely need to use the imperfect tense.\n\n\n\nTake Note: Some of the trigger words for the imperfect can also be used in the present tense. Why? Because these tenses are used to talk about habits and routines at different points in time. \n\n\n\nKey Points: Rules to Use the Imperfect in Spanish\n\n\n\nYou can\u2019t talk about the past in Spanish without knowing how to use the imperfect tense. Below, you\u2019ll find some key points about this tense and a chart that will help you determine if you need this tense: \n\n\n\nThe imperfect in Spanish narrates or provides background information about a past event. It\u2019s usually applied when sharing memories or telling stories. The imperfect tense is used to:Describe people, places and things in the past. Tell time and someone\u2019s age. Refer to simultaneous events or actions. Talk about habits, and routines in the past. There are only three irregular verbs in the imperfect tense (\u2018ser\u2019, \u2018ir\u2019, and \u2018ver\u2019).Unlike preterite, the imperfect tense in Spanish refers to actions without a specific ending or beginning. ","headline":"Spanish Imperfect Tense 101: Uses, Examples & Conjugations","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Daniela Sanchez","url":"https:\/\/www.tellmeinspanish.com\/about-me\/"},"datePublished":"2022-08-11","mainEntityOfPage":"True","dateModified":"September 28, 2024","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.tellmeinspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Imperfect-Tense-Spanish-101-Examples-Uses-Conjugations-1024x576.jpg","height":360,"width":640},"publisher":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Organization","name":"Tell Me In Spanish","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.tellmeinspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/tmis_logo_xs-300x188.png","height":600,"width":60}}} </script> <article class="author-card"> <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/about-me/" alt="link to Daniela Sanchez author page"> <div data-bg="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/12419275_10153370688196472_3193377539784491038_o-e1559946207118-300x297.jpg" class="avatar-container rocket-lazyload" style=""> </div> </a> <div class="author-info"> <header> <p class="h3"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/about-me/">Daniela Sanchez</a></p> </header> <p>¡Hola! Soy Daniela Sanchez, I've been studying Spanish professionally as well as teaching it in Mexico and online for over 10 years. I’ve taught Spanish to a wide array of foreigners from many backgrounds. Over the years, I've made it my mission to work hard on refining many challenging to understand grammar topics to make my students' learning experiences easier, faster and more enjoyable. <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/about-me/">Read More About Me</a></p> </div> </article> <h3 class="h2">Recent Posts</h3> <div class="recent-articles-container"> <article class="article-card"> <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/cual-vs-que/" rel="nofollow"><div data-bg="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Cuál-vs-Qué-Key-Differences-You-Need-to-Know.jpg" class="image-container rocket-lazyload" style=""></div><span class="sr-only">link to Cuál vs Qué: Key Differences You Need to Know</span></a> <div class="copy-container"> <header> <p><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/cual-vs-que/">Cuál vs Qué: Key Differences You Need to Know</a></p> </header> <div class="excerpt"> <p>Cuál vs qué is a topic that often confuses Spanish learners. Qué inquires about definitions, time, explanations, or identifies something. It’s the direct translation of ‘what’. Cuál means...</p><div class="button-container"><a rel="nofollow" class="button reverse" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/cual-vs-que/" aria-label="Continue Reading: Cuál vs Qué: Key Differences You Need to Know">Continue Reading</a></div> </div>  </div> </article> <article class="article-card"> <a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/vocab/salir-vs-dejar-vs-irse/" rel="nofollow"><div data-bg="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Salir-vs-Dejar-vs-Irse-Key-Usage-Differences.jpg" class="image-container rocket-lazyload" style=""></div><span class="sr-only">link to Salir vs Dejar vs Irse: Key Usage Differences</span></a> <div class="copy-container"> <header> <p><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/vocab/salir-vs-dejar-vs-irse/">Salir vs Dejar vs Irse: Key Usage Differences</a></p> </header> <div class="excerpt"> <p>Salir vs dejar vs irse confuse learners because they all mean ‘to leave’, but aren’t interchangeable. Irse conveys and emphasizes that someone is leaving a place. Dejar expresses that someone...</p><div class="button-container"><a rel="nofollow" class="button reverse" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/vocab/salir-vs-dejar-vs-irse/" aria-label="Continue Reading: Salir vs Dejar vs Irse: Key Usage Differences">Continue Reading</a></div> </div>  </div> </article> </div> </main> </div> <aside id="secondary" class="widget-area"> <div class="about-wrapper"> <h2 class="widget-title">About the Author</h2> <div data-bg="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/12419275_10153370688196472_3193377539784491038_o-e1559946207118.jpg" class="about-image rocket-lazyload" style=""></div> <p class="about-copy">¡Hola! Soy Daniela Sanchez, I've been studying Spanish professionally as well as teaching it in Mexico and online for over 10 years. I’ve taught Spanish to a wide array of foreigners from many backgrounds such as students and tourists to doctors and soldiers. Over the years, I've made it my mission to work hard on refining many challenging to understand grammar topics to make my students' learning experiences easier, faster and more enjoyable. I hope you've found what you were looking for here during your journey into Español 🙂</p> </div> <div class="sidebar-ad"> <p><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/spanish-learners-roadmaps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="wp-image-10266 aligncenter" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20400'%3E%3C/svg%3E" alt="" width="400" height="400" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon.jpg 1200w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-lazy-src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon-1024x1024.jpg" /><noscript><img class="wp-image-10266 aligncenter" src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="400" srcset="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TMIS-Spanish-Learners-Roadmap-Icon.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></noscript></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/spanish-learning-kit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Get the Roadmap to Learning Spanish!</strong></a></p> </div> <section id="block-3" class="widget-odd widget-last widget-first widget-1 widget widget_block"><div id="cbox-6WCEPwJBvvlqQMHd"></div></section></aside> </div> <footer id="colophon" class="site-footer"> <div class="inner-wrap"> <div class="menu-footer-menu-container"><ul id="footer-menu" class="inner-wrap"><li id="menu-item-35" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-privacy-policy menu-item-35"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li id="menu-item-951" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-951"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/terms-and-conditions/">Terms and Conditions</a></li> <li id="menu-item-18432" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-18432"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/free-video-lessons/">FREE Video Lessons</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6048" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6048"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/about-us/">About Tell Me in Spanish</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6047" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6047"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/about-me/">Daniela Sanchez</a></li> <li id="menu-item-9991" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-9991"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/site-map/">Site Map</a></li> <li id="menu-item-10799" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-10799"><a href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/contact/">Contact</a></li> <li id="menu-item-16376" class="social-icon youtube-icon menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-16376"><a title="YouTube Channel – Tell Me In Spanish" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh18KWryKSy8HuHMesb8Jow">Main Channel</a></li> <li id="menu-item-16363" class="social-icon youtube-icon menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-16363"><a title="YouTube Channel – Tell Me In Spanish – Spanish Immersion" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFYI-MXPpM7oD8SDCZJ3kkw">Immersion Channel</a></li> </ul></div> <div class="site-info"> © 2024 Copyright Tell Me In Spanish </div> </div> </footer> </div>  <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <div class="et_social_pin_images_outer"> <div class="et_social_pinterest_window"> <div class="et_social_modal_header"><h3>Pin It on Pinterest</h3><span class="et_social_close"></span></div> <div class="et_social_pin_images" data-permalink="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/grammar/spanish-imperfect-tense/" data-title="Spanish Imperfect Tense 101: Uses, Examples & Conjugations" data-post_id="10441"></div> </div> </div><div class="et_social_sidebar_networks et_social_visible_sidebar et_social_no_animation et_social_animated et_social_rounded et_social_sidebar_flip et_social_mobile_off"> <ul class="et_social_icons_container"><li class="et_social_facebook"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&t=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="facebook" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="sidebar"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_facebook"></i> <span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_twitter"> <a href="http://twitter.com/share?text=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="twitter" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="sidebar"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_twitter"></i> <span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_pinterest"> <a href="#" class="et_social_share_pinterest" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="pinterest" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="sidebar"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_pinterest"></i> <span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_reddit"> <a href="http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&title=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="reddit" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="sidebar"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_reddit"></i> <span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_linkedin"> <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&title=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="linkedin" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="sidebar"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_linkedin"></i> <span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_buffer"> <a href="https://bufferapp.com/add?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&title=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="buffer" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="sidebar"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_buffer"></i> <span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_evernote"> <a href="http://www.evernote.com/clip.action?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&title=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="evernote" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="sidebar"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_evernote"></i> <span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li><li class="et_social_gmail"> <a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?view=cm&fs=1&su=Spanish%20Imperfect%20Tense%20101%3A%20Uses%2C%20Examples%20%26%20Conjugations&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tellmeinspanish.com%2Fgrammar%2Fspanish-imperfect-tense%2F&ui=2&tf=1" class="et_social_share" rel="nofollow" data-social_name="gmail" data-post_id="10441" data-social_type="share" data-location="sidebar"> <i class="et_social_icon et_social_icon_gmail"></i> <span class="et_social_overlay"></span> </a> </li></ul> <span class="et_social_hide_sidebar et_social_icon"></span> </div><style>.wp-container-1 > .alignleft { float: left; margin-inline-start: 0; margin-inline-end: 2em; }.wp-container-1 > .alignright { float: right; margin-inline-start: 2em; margin-inline-end: 0; }.wp-container-1 > .aligncenter { margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }</style> <style>.wp-container-2 > .alignleft { float: left; margin-inline-start: 0; margin-inline-end: 2em; }.wp-container-2 > .alignright { float: right; margin-inline-start: 2em; margin-inline-end: 0; }.wp-container-2 > .aligncenter { margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }</style> <style>.wp-container-3 > .alignleft { float: left; margin-inline-start: 0; margin-inline-end: 2em; }.wp-container-3 > .alignright { float: right; margin-inline-start: 2em; margin-inline-end: 0; }.wp-container-3 > .aligncenter { margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }</style> <style>.wp-container-4 > .alignleft { float: left; margin-inline-start: 0; margin-inline-end: 2em; }.wp-container-4 > .alignright { float: right; margin-inline-start: 2em; margin-inline-end: 0; }.wp-container-4 > .aligncenter { margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }</style> <script type='text/javascript' id='wpil-frontend-script-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var wpilFrontend = {"ajaxUrl":"\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","postId":"10441","postType":"post","openInternalInNewTab":"0","openExternalInNewTab":"0","disableClicks":"0","openLinksWithJS":"0","trackAllElementClicks":"0","clicksI18n":{"imageNoText":"Image in link: No Text","imageText":"Image Title: ","noText":"No Anchor Text Found"}}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script data-minify="1" type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/cache/min/1/wp-content/plugins/link-whisper-premium/js/frontend.js?ver=1717298390' id='wpil-frontend-script-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' id='affiliate-link-sherpa-theme-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var nonce_object = {"nonce":"15b0104753","postId":"10441","pluginsUrl":"https:\/\/www.tellmeinspanish.com\/wp-content\/plugins","ajaxUrl":"https:\/\/www.tellmeinspanish.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script data-minify="1" type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/cache/min/1/wp-content/plugins/sherpa-plugin-3/assets/js/theme.js?ver=1717298390' id='affiliate-link-sherpa-theme-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/plugins/monarch/js/idle-timer.min.js?ver=1.4.14' id='et_monarch-idle-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' id='et_monarch-custom-js-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var monarchSettings = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/www.tellmeinspanish.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","pageurl":"https:\/\/www.tellmeinspanish.com\/grammar\/spanish-imperfect-tense\/","stats_nonce":"b7414cabe8","share_counts":"f0fccb4eb1","follow_counts":"51e8a38730","total_counts":"239ead42c2","media_single":"a4cb989565","media_total":"d9b45c504c","generate_all_window_nonce":"cce24a7bcc","no_img_message":"No images available for sharing on this page"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script data-minify="1" type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/cache/min/1/wp-content/plugins/monarch/js/custom.js?ver=1717298390' id='et_monarch-custom-js-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' id='rocket-browser-checker-js-after'> "use strict";var _createClass=function(){function defineProperties(target,props){for(var i=0;i<props.length;i++){var descriptor=props[i];descriptor.enumerable=descriptor.enumerable||!1,descriptor.configurable=!0,"value"in descriptor&&(descriptor.writable=!0),Object.defineProperty(target,descriptor.key,descriptor)}}return function(Constructor,protoProps,staticProps){return protoProps&&defineProperties(Constructor.prototype,protoProps),staticProps&&defineProperties(Constructor,staticProps),Constructor}}();function _classCallCheck(instance,Constructor){if(!(instance instanceof Constructor))throw new TypeError("Cannot call a class as a function")}var RocketBrowserCompatibilityChecker=function(){function RocketBrowserCompatibilityChecker(options){_classCallCheck(this,RocketBrowserCompatibilityChecker),this.passiveSupported=!1,this._checkPassiveOption(this),this.options=!!this.passiveSupported&&options}return _createClass(RocketBrowserCompatibilityChecker,[{key:"_checkPassiveOption",value:function(self){try{var options={get passive(){return!(self.passiveSupported=!0)}};window.addEventListener("test",null,options),window.removeEventListener("test",null,options)}catch(err){self.passiveSupported=!1}}},{key:"initRequestIdleCallback",value:function(){!1 in window&&(window.requestIdleCallback=function(cb){var start=Date.now();return setTimeout(function(){cb({didTimeout:!1,timeRemaining:function(){return Math.max(0,50-(Date.now()-start))}})},1)}),!1 in window&&(window.cancelIdleCallback=function(id){return clearTimeout(id)})}},{key:"isDataSaverModeOn",value:function(){return"connection"in navigator&&!0===navigator.connection.saveData}},{key:"supportsLinkPrefetch",value:function(){var elem=document.createElement("link");return elem.relList&&elem.relList.supports&&elem.relList.supports("prefetch")&&window.IntersectionObserver&&"isIntersecting"in IntersectionObserverEntry.prototype}},{key:"isSlowConnection",value:function(){return"connection"in navigator&&"effectiveType"in navigator.connection&&("2g"===navigator.connection.effectiveType||"slow-2g"===navigator.connection.effectiveType)}}]),RocketBrowserCompatibilityChecker}(); </script> <script type='text/javascript' id='rocket-preload-links-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var RocketPreloadLinksConfig = {"excludeUris":"\/(?:.+\/)?feed(?:\/(?:.+\/?)?)?$|\/(?:.+\/)?embed\/|\/(index\\.php\/)?wp\\-json(\/.*|$)|\/wp-admin\/|\/logout\/|\/wp-login.php|\/refer\/|\/go\/|\/recommend\/|\/recommends\/","usesTrailingSlash":"1","imageExt":"jpg|jpeg|gif|png|tiff|bmp|webp|avif|pdf|doc|docx|xls|xlsx|php","fileExt":"jpg|jpeg|gif|png|tiff|bmp|webp|avif|pdf|doc|docx|xls|xlsx|php|html|htm","siteUrl":"https:\/\/www.tellmeinspanish.com","onHoverDelay":"100","rateThrottle":"3"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type='text/javascript' id='rocket-preload-links-js-after'> (function() { "use strict";var r="function"==typeof Symbol&&"symbol"==typeof Symbol.iterator?function(e){return typeof e}:function(e){return e&&"function"==typeof Symbol&&e.constructor===Symbol&&e!==Symbol.prototype?"symbol":typeof e},e=function(){function i(e,t){for(var n=0;n<t.length;n++){var i=t[n];i.enumerable=i.enumerable||!1,i.configurable=!0,"value"in i&&(i.writable=!0),Object.defineProperty(e,i.key,i)}}return function(e,t,n){return t&&i(e.prototype,t),n&&i(e,n),e}}();function i(e,t){if(!(e instanceof t))throw new TypeError("Cannot call a class as a function")}var t=function(){function n(e,t){i(this,n),this.browser=e,this.config=t,this.options=this.browser.options,this.prefetched=new Set,this.eventTime=null,this.threshold=1111,this.numOnHover=0}return e(n,[{key:"init",value:function(){!this.browser.supportsLinkPrefetch()||this.browser.isDataSaverModeOn()||this.browser.isSlowConnection()||(this.regex={excludeUris:RegExp(this.config.excludeUris,"i"),images:RegExp(".("+this.config.imageExt+")$","i"),fileExt:RegExp(".("+this.config.fileExt+")$","i")},this._initListeners(this))}},{key:"_initListeners",value:function(e){-1<this.config.onHoverDelay&&document.addEventListener("mouseover",e.listener.bind(e),e.listenerOptions),document.addEventListener("mousedown",e.listener.bind(e),e.listenerOptions),document.addEventListener("touchstart",e.listener.bind(e),e.listenerOptions)}},{key:"listener",value:function(e){var t=e.target.closest("a"),n=this._prepareUrl(t);if(null!==n)switch(e.type){case"mousedown":case"touchstart":this._addPrefetchLink(n);break;case"mouseover":this._earlyPrefetch(t,n,"mouseout")}}},{key:"_earlyPrefetch",value:function(t,e,n){var i=this,r=setTimeout(function(){if(r=null,0===i.numOnHover)setTimeout(function(){return i.numOnHover=0},1e3);else if(i.numOnHover>i.config.rateThrottle)return;i.numOnHover++,i._addPrefetchLink(e)},this.config.onHoverDelay);t.addEventListener(n,function e(){t.removeEventListener(n,e,{passive:!0}),null!==r&&(clearTimeout(r),r=null)},{passive:!0})}},{key:"_addPrefetchLink",value:function(i){return this.prefetched.add(i.href),new Promise(function(e,t){var n=document.createElement("link");n.rel="prefetch",n.href=i.href,n.onload=e,n.onerror=t,document.head.appendChild(n)}).catch(function(){})}},{key:"_prepareUrl",value:function(e){if(null===e||"object"!==(void 0===e?"undefined":r(e))||!1 in e||-1===["http:","https:"].indexOf(e.protocol))return null;var t=e.href.substring(0,this.config.siteUrl.length),n=this._getPathname(e.href,t),i={original:e.href,protocol:e.protocol,origin:t,pathname:n,href:t+n};return this._isLinkOk(i)?i:null}},{key:"_getPathname",value:function(e,t){var n=t?e.substring(this.config.siteUrl.length):e;return n.startsWith("/")||(n="/"+n),this._shouldAddTrailingSlash(n)?n+"/":n}},{key:"_shouldAddTrailingSlash",value:function(e){return this.config.usesTrailingSlash&&!e.endsWith("/")&&!this.regex.fileExt.test(e)}},{key:"_isLinkOk",value:function(e){return null!==e&&"object"===(void 0===e?"undefined":r(e))&&(!this.prefetched.has(e.href)&&e.origin===this.config.siteUrl&&-1===e.href.indexOf("?")&&-1===e.href.indexOf("#")&&!this.regex.excludeUris.test(e.href)&&!this.regex.images.test(e.href))}}],[{key:"run",value:function(){"undefined"!=typeof RocketPreloadLinksConfig&&new n(new RocketBrowserCompatibilityChecker({capture:!0,passive:!0}),RocketPreloadLinksConfig).init()}}]),n}();t.run(); }()); </script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/js/app.min.js?ver=1.0.10' id='income-school-js-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-includes/js/comment-reply.min.js?ver=6.0.9' id='comment-reply-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' id='q2w3_fixed_widget-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var q2w3_sidebar_options = [{"sidebar":"q2w3-default-sidebar","use_sticky_position":false,"margin_top":30,"margin_bottom":30,"stop_elements_selectors":"","screen_max_width":768,"screen_max_height":0,"widgets":["#block-3"]}]; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/plugins/q2w3-fixed-widget/js/frontend.min.js?ver=6.2.3' id='q2w3_fixed_widget-js'></script> <script data-minify="1" type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/cache/min/1/wp-content/plugins/monarch/core/admin/js/common.js?ver=1717298390' id='et-core-common-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/TMIS/js/tmis-jquery-code.js' id='tmis-jquery-code-js'></script> <script>window.lazyLoadOptions={elements_selector:"img[data-lazy-src],.rocket-lazyload,iframe[data-lazy-src]",data_src:"lazy-src",data_srcset:"lazy-srcset",data_sizes:"lazy-sizes",class_loading:"lazyloading",class_loaded:"lazyloaded",threshold:300,callback_loaded:function(element){if(element.tagName==="IFRAME"&&element.dataset.rocketLazyload=="fitvidscompatible"){if(element.classList.contains("lazyloaded")){if(typeof window.jQuery!="undefined"){if(jQuery.fn.fitVids){jQuery(element).parent().fitVids()}}}}}};window.addEventListener('LazyLoad::Initialized',function(e){var lazyLoadInstance=e.detail.instance;if(window.MutationObserver){var observer=new MutationObserver(function(mutations){var image_count=0;var iframe_count=0;var rocketlazy_count=0;mutations.forEach(function(mutation){for(var i=0;i<mutation.addedNodes.length;i++){if(typeof mutation.addedNodes[i].getElementsByTagName!=='function'){continue} if(typeof mutation.addedNodes[i].getElementsByClassName!=='function'){continue} images=mutation.addedNodes[i].getElementsByTagName('img');is_image=mutation.addedNodes[i].tagName=="IMG";iframes=mutation.addedNodes[i].getElementsByTagName('iframe');is_iframe=mutation.addedNodes[i].tagName=="IFRAME";rocket_lazy=mutation.addedNodes[i].getElementsByClassName('rocket-lazyload');image_count+=images.length;iframe_count+=iframes.length;rocketlazy_count+=rocket_lazy.length;if(is_image){image_count+=1} if(is_iframe){iframe_count+=1}}});if(image_count>0||iframe_count>0||rocketlazy_count>0){lazyLoadInstance.update()}});var b=document.getElementsByTagName("body")[0];var config={childList:!0,subtree:!0};observer.observe(b,config)}},!1)</script><script data-no-minify="1" async src="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-rocket/assets/js/lazyload/17.5/lazyload.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">!function(e,t){(e=t.createElement("script")).src="https://cdn.convertbox.com/convertbox/js/embed.js",e.id="app-convertbox-script",e.async=true,e.dataset.uuid="1ce80cfb-1497-4c88-940f-c0c7aeba26ff",document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(e)}(window,document);</script><div style="display: none"></div><script>"use strict";function wprRemoveCPCSS(){var preload_stylesheets=document.querySelectorAll('link[data-rocket-async="style"][rel="preload"]');if(preload_stylesheets&&0<preload_stylesheets.length)for(var stylesheet_index=0;stylesheet_index<preload_stylesheets.length;stylesheet_index++){var media=preload_stylesheets[stylesheet_index].getAttribute("media")||"all";if(window.matchMedia(media).matches)return void setTimeout(wprRemoveCPCSS,200)}var elem=document.getElementById("rocket-critical-css");elem&&"remove"in elem&&elem.remove()}window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener("load",wprRemoveCPCSS):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent("onload",wprRemoveCPCSS);</script><noscript><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/cache/min/1/0cd627fe94c485054901d3d6b7352490.css" media="all" data-minify="1" /><link rel='stylesheet' id='defer-style-min-width768-css' href='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/css/min-width768.css?ver=6.0.9' type='text/css' media='(min-width: 768px)' /><link rel='stylesheet' id='defer-style-min-width960-css' href='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/css/min-width960.css?ver=6.0.9' type='text/css' media='(min-width: 960px)' /><link rel='stylesheet' id='defer-style-min-width1200-css' href='https://www.tellmeinspanish.com/wp-content/themes/acabado/css/min-width1200.css?ver=6.0.9' type='text/css' media='(min-width: 1200px)' /></noscript></body> </html>