Imperfect
Imperfecto
The past for habits, ongoing actions, and description.
The rule
The imperfect (imperfecto) describes the past without a defined endpoint: habits ('used to'), ongoing background actions ('was …ing'), descriptions, and time, age, weather and feelings. Regular endings for -ar verbs: -aba, -abas, -aba, -ábamos, -aban; for -er/-ir verbs: -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -ían. Only three verbs are irregular: ser (era, eras, era, éramos, eran), ir (iba, ibas, iba, íbamos, iban) and ver (veía, veías, veía, veíamos, veían).
Examples
Cuando era niño, jugaba al fútbol todos los días.
When I was a child, I used to play football every day. (habit)
Llovía y hacía frío.
It was raining and it was cold. (background / weather)
Eran las tres de la tarde.
It was three in the afternoon. (telling time)
Ella tenía diez años entonces.
She was ten years old then. (age)
Íbamos a la playa cada verano.
We used to go to the beach every summer. (ir, irregular)
Try it yourself
Three quick questions, straight from the app. No sign-up needed.
Antes ___ temprano todos los días.
I used to get up early every day.
All 23 Imperfect questions, free in Hablaba
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