Spanish Past Habits: Using the Imperfect for 'Used To' and Choosing Between Preterite and Imperfect
Learn to describe past habits and states with the imperfect, and understand when to switch to the preterite for completed actions.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Spanish, the imperfect tense is the default for talking about past habits and states, the equivalent of English 'used to' or 'would' for repeated actions. The preterite, by contrast, presents past events as completed wholes. This lesson gives you the core patterns for 'used to' and clarifies the preterite/imperfect distinction so you can narrate past routines and interruptions accurately.
By the end, you can…
- describe past habits and states using the imperfect tense.
- choose between preterite and imperfect to narrate a past situation with background and specific events.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Cuando era niño, vivía en Roma.
When I was a child, I used to live in Rome.
KWAHN-doh EH-rah NEE-nyoh, bee-BEE-ah en ROH-mah
Imperfect for a past state (vivía) and a past age/condition (era).
Todos los veranos íbamos a la playa.
Every summer we used to go to the beach.
TOH-dohs lohs beh-RAH-nohs EE-bah-mohs ah lah PLAH-yah
Imperfect for repeated actions; time expression 'todos los veranos' reinforces habit.
Ayer fui al mercado y compré frutas.
Yesterday I went to the market and bought fruit.
ah-YEHR fwee ahl mehr-KAH-doh ee kohm-PREH FROO-tahs
Preterite for completed, single events; 'ayer' signals a finished time frame.
Mientras cocinaba, sonó el teléfono.
While I was cooking, the phone rang.
MYEHN-trahs koh-see-NAH-bah, soh-NOH ehl teh-LEH-foh-noh
Imperfect sets the background (cocinaba); preterite interrupts (sonó).
Antes no me gustaba el café, pero ahora sí.
I didn't use to like coffee, but now I do.
AHN-tehs noh meh goos-TAH-bah ehl kah-FEH, PEH-roh AH-oh-rah see
Imperfect for past preferences; contrast with present using 'ahora'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To say 'used to' in Spanish, use the imperfect tense. Regular -ar verbs take -aba endings: hablaba, hablabas, hablaba, hablábamos, hablabais, hablaban. Regular -er and -ir verbs take -ía endings: comía, comías, comía, comíamos, comíais, comían. For example: 'Cuando era joven, corría todas las mañanas' (When I was young, I used to run every morning). The imperfect also describes ongoing states: 'La casa era grande' (The house was big).
When to use it
Use the imperfect for habits, routines, ongoing states, and background descriptions in the past. Use the preterite for completed actions, specific events, and interruptions. Compare: 'Veía la televisión cuando alguien tocó la puerta' (I was watching TV when someone knocked at the door). The imperfect 'veía' sets the scene; the preterite 'tocó' reports the event. Time markers help: 'siempre', 'todos los días', 'mientras' often accompany the imperfect; 'ayer', 'el año pasado', 'de repente' often accompany the preterite. Some verbs change meaning: 'sabía' (knew) vs. 'supe' (found out).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
¿Qué hacías los fines de semana cuando vivías en el campo?
What did you use to do on weekends when you lived in the countryside?keh ah-SEE-ahs lohs FEE-nehs deh seh-MAH-nah KWAHN-doh bee-BEE-ahs ehn ehl KAHM-pohCaminaba por el bosque y visitaba a mis abuelos.
I used to walk through the forest and visit my grandparents.kah-mee-NAH-bah pohr ehl BOHS-keh ee bee-see-TAH-bah ah mees ah-BWEH-lohs¿Y un día especial que recuerdes?
And a special day that you remember?ee oon DEE-ah es-peh-SYAHL keh reh-KWEHR-dehsSí, una vez encontré un pájaro herido y lo cuidé.
Yes, once I found an injured bird and took care of it.see, OO-nah behs ehn-kohn-TREH oon PAH-hah-roh eh-REE-doh ee loh kwee-DEHA little context goes a long way
In Latin American Spanish, the imperfect is used similarly to Spain, but regional variations exist in the use of preterite for recent events. For example, in some Andean regions, the preterite may be preferred for sudden events. Always pay attention to context and time markers.
One thing to watch for
Using the preterite for habitual past actions, as in 'Cuando era niño, viví en Roma' to mean 'I used to live in Rome'.
Try this instead: For habits and states, use the imperfect: 'Cuando era niño, vivía en Roma'. The preterite 'viví' would mean 'I lived' as a completed period, often with a specific duration, e.g., 'Viví en Roma por cinco años'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Complete: Cuando ___ (ser) joven, ___ (jugar) al fútbol todos los sábados.
Show a sample answer
Cuando era joven, jugaba al fútbol todos los sábados.
Both verbs describe past habits/states, so imperfect is used. 'Era' and 'jugaba' are correct. If you said 'fui' or 'jugué', it would imply single completed events, which contradicts 'todos los sábados'.
2Choose the correct form: Anoche ___ (ver) una película y luego ___ (dormirse).
Show a sample answer
Anoche vi una película y luego me dormí.
Specific completed actions in a finished time frame require the preterite. 'Veía' and 'me dormía' would describe ongoing or habitual actions, not a one-time sequence.
3Translate: 'While I was reading, the lights went out.'
Show a sample answer
Mientras leía, se fue la luz.
Imperfect 'leía' sets the background; preterite 'se fue' reports the interrupting event. Other verbs like 'apagaron' are also possible, but the tense pattern remains.
Use the imperfect for 'used to' habits and background states; use the preterite for completed events and interruptions. Time markers and context guide your choice.
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