Spanish Conversation · Level 63
76 words
Spanish word
imperfecto
Pronunciation
IPA/impeɾˈfekto/
Meaning
- masculine nounimperfect tense
Example
Usamos el imperfecto para describir acciones habituales en el pasado.
We use the imperfect tense to describe habitual actions in the past.
More examples
Mientras ella cocinaba sonó el teléfono, y la acción en curso se expresa con el imperfecto.
While she was cooking, the phone rang, and the ongoing action is expressed with the imperfect tense.
Core concept
A faded band on a past timeline showing an ongoing interval.
Common phrases
formas del imperfecto
forms of the imperfect tense
uso cotidiano del imperfecto
everyday use of the imperfect tense
Similar words
pretérito perfecto simple: Single events completed at a specific time in the past.
pretérito perfecto compuesto: Past events described as finished and relevant to now.
pluscuamperfecto: Earlier past actions that happened before another past moment.
pasado: Occurrences or periods situated before the present time.
Definition in Spanish
Tiempo pasado que señala acciones repetidas, descripciones o procesos en curso en el pasado sin marcar su comienzo ni su final.
Word origin
From Latin imperfectus (in- 'not' + perfectus 'completed'), meaning 'not completed', so the term marks past actions seen as ongoing, habitual, or without a defined start or end.
Usage tips
- Signal words like siempre, a menudo, mientras, todos los días, and cuando era often cue the imperfecto, which describes background scenes or repeated past actions rather than single completed events.
Other meanings
- imperfectadjective
Opposites
- pretéritopreterite tensenoun