Imperfect tense Spanish: Conjugation, when to use it, irregular verbs and examples

Learning Spanish can be a truly rewarding experience, but one of the more challenging aspects for many students is mastering the different past tenses, especially knowing when to use each one. Whether you’re taking online Spanish classes or attending a Spanish course in Madrid, getting a good grasp of the imperfect tense is key to sounding more natural and fluent.

In this post, we’ll focus on understanding the imperfect tense in Spanish: how it works, when to use it, and how to conjugate both regular and irregular verbs. So let’s explore it below.

What is the imperfect tense in Spanish?

So, what exactly is the imperfect tense in Spanish? Well, it is a past tense which describes actions that were ongoing, habitual, or incomplete in the past. Whereas the preterite tense refers to completed actions, the imperfect is used to describe the background of a situation, such as things that were happening, used to happen or were true for an unspecified duration. 

A useful tip with Spanish imperfect tense sentences is to think of it like a background tense. Conjugating verbs in this way can help set the scene or describe what used to happen without focusing on when the action started or ended. If you’re telling a story, the imperfect can fill in the mood, the environment or what people were doing in the background. 

When do you use the imperfect tense in Spanish?

The imperfect tense in Spanish is mainly used for five purposes:

• to describe habitual actions in the past. These are activities that used to happen regularly in the past, such as daily routines or repeated behaviors. Example: Siempre comíamos juntos los domingos = We always ate together on Sundays
• to refer to ongoing actions in the past. Actions that were in progress at a particular moment in the past, often interrupted by another action in the preterite. Example: Leía un libro cuando sonó el teléfono = I was reading a book when the phone rang.
• to provide background details or descriptions. The imperfect is ideal for setting the scene in a narrative—describing the weather, the setting, physical appearance, or other contextual elements. Example: Hacía mucho calor y las calles estaban vacías = It was very hot and the streets were empty.
• to discuss past time and age. This includes saying how old someone was or what time it was at a certain moment in the past. Example: Tenía diez años cuando me mudé a España = I was ten years old when I moved to Spain.
• and to describe mental or emotional states. When talking about feelings, thoughts, desires or emotions in the past, especially when they lasted for an undefined period. Example: Estaba cansada y no quería salir = She was tired and didn’t want to go out

It’s the tense you’d use to talk about childhood routines, the weather during an event or how someone felt during a particular moment in the past, without focusing on when the action started or ended.

Conjugations: the verb tables for the imperfect tense

When it comes to the imperfect tense in Spanish conjugations, the good news is that it is one of the more regular tenses to learn. Most verbs follow a standard pattern, while there are only three Spanish imperfect tense irregular verbs, namely “ser”, “ir” and “ver”.

So, how do we conjugate regular verbs in the imperfect tense? Firstly, we need to keep in mind that  Spanish verbs are grouped into three main categories based on their infinitive endings: -ar, -er, and -ir. We then remove the ending and add the Spanish verb conjugation. Below, we’ll outline an imperfect tense in Spanish chart for each of these verb types, so we can check out some examples.  

Imperfect tense Spanish verb conjugations for -ar verbs (Eg, hablar = to speak):

 Imperfect tense Spanish verb conjugations for -er verbs (Eg, comer = to eat):

Imperfect tense Spanish verb conjugations for -ir verbs (Eg, vivir = to live):

Imperfect tense in Spanish irregular verbs

Since there are only three irregular verbs for the imperfect tense in Spanish, let’s break all three of them down here: 

Imperfect tense Spanish verb conjugations for ser (to be):

Imperfect tense Spanish verb conjugations for “ir” (to go):

Imperfect tense Spanish verb conjugations for “ver” (to see):

If you want to know even more about Spanish verb conjugation: tenses and regular vs irregular verbs, then don’t worry, it’s something you’ll be taught on any Spanish course, whether you’re studying an online one or whether you’re taking Spanish courses in Madrid. If you’re planning to study in person, don’t forget to explore your options for accommodation in Madrid to make the most of your learning experience in the city.

Imperfect tense in Spanish examples

To conclude this guide to the imperfect tense in Spanish, let’s take a look at a few examples as part of full sentences, to better understand how this tense works and when to use it. 

• I used to walk to school every day = Caminaba a la escuela todos los días
• She always felt tired in the mornings = Siempre se sentía cansada por las mañanas
• It was raining and the streets were empty = Llovía y las calles estaban vacías
• I was eight years old when I learned to ride a bike = Tenía ocho años cuando aprendí a montar en bicicleta
• We often visited our grandparents on Sundays = A menudo visitábamos a nuestros abuelos los domingos
• The house was old but full of charm = La casa era antigua pero llena de encanto
• He used to play the guitar every afternoon = Tocaba la guitarra todas las tardes
• They were watching TV while I was reading = Ellos veían la tele mientras yo leía
• It was cold and windy outside = Hacía frío y viento fuera
• As a child, she dreamed of becoming a pilot = De niña, soñaba con ser piloto
• You always helped me with my homework = Siempre me ayudabas con los deberes
• He didn’t like vegetables when he was a kid = No le gustaban las verduras cuando era niño

Mastering the imperfect tense is essential for communicating fluently in Spanish, especially when sharing stories or describing past experiences. With regular practice, and the right guidance it will soon become second nature. Ready to take the next step in your Spanish journey?