Pretérito Indefinido
Learn to conjugate and use verbs for completed actions that took place at a specific point in the past.
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I spoke
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'hablar' (to speak/talk). Used to describe a completed speaking action that occurred at a specific moment in the past.
Ayer hablé con mi jefe sobre el aumento de sueldo.
Yesterday I spoke with my boss about the raise.
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you spoke
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'hablar'. Used when addressing someone you know well, referring to a finished conversation or speech act at a definite past time.
¿Hablaste con María después de la reunión?
Did you speak with María after the meeting?
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he/she/you spoke
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'hablar'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' completed a speaking action at a concrete point in the past.
El presidente habló por televisión anoche a las diez.
The president spoke on television last night at ten o'clock.
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we spoke
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'hablar'. Describes a completed speaking action carried out by a group that includes the speaker, with a clear past timeframe.
Hablamos durante dos horas antes de tomar una decisión.
We spoke for two hours before making a decision.
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you all spoke
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'hablar', used mainly in Spain. Refers to a finished conversation or speech event involving multiple people you know well.
Hablasteis con el entrenador después del partido, ¿verdad?
You all spoke with the coach after the game, right?
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they/you all spoke
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'hablar'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who completed a speaking action at a specific past moment.
Los vecinos hablaron sobre el problema del ruido hasta tarde.
The neighbors spoke about the noise problem until late.
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I ate
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'comer' (to eat). Expresses a finished eating action that took place at a definite time in the past, often with a clear start and end.
Comí tres tacos en el puesto de la esquina y me sentí increíble.
I ate three tacos at the corner stand and felt amazing.
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you ate
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'comer'. Used to ask or state about a completed meal or eating action that happened at a specific past time.
¿Comiste algo antes de salir de casa esta mañana?
Did you eat anything before leaving home this morning?
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he/she/you ate
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'comer'. Refers to a specific person or formal 'you' who completed an eating action at a concrete moment in the past.
Mi abuela comió pescado todos los días durante su viaje a Japón.
My grandmother ate fish every day during her trip to Japan.
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we ate
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'comer'. Describes a finished group eating event that occurred at a definite past time, involving the speaker and others.
Comimos pizza en el parque y luego vimos el atardecer.
We ate pizza in the park and then watched the sunset.
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you all ate
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'comer', primarily used in Spain. Refers to a completed eating action by a group of people you know well, at a specific past time.
Comisteis toda la paella antes de que llegáramos nosotros.
You all ate all the paella before we arrived.
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they/you all ate
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'comer'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who completed an eating action at a definite point in the past.
Los niños comieron demasiados dulces en la fiesta y se enfermaron.
The children ate too many candies at the party and got sick.
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I lived
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'vivir' (to live). Describes a completed period of residence or life experience that occurred at a specific, bounded time in the past.
Viví en Buenos Aires durante tres años y aprendí a bailar tango.
I lived in Buenos Aires for three years and learned to dance tango.
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you lived
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'vivir'. Used to ask about or state a finished period of living somewhere or a past life experience, with a clear timeframe.
¿Viviste en el extranjero cuando eras más joven?
Did you live abroad when you were younger?
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he/she/you lived
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'vivir'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' completed a period of residence or a life experience at a concrete past time.
Mi tío vivió en la misma calle durante cincuenta años hasta que se mudó.
My uncle lived on the same street for fifty years until he moved.
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we lived
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'vivir'. Refers to a group that includes the speaker having completed a distinct period of living somewhere or a specific life stage in the past.
Vivimos en un piso pequeño sin ascensor durante nuestros años de universidad.
We lived in a small apartment without an elevator during our university years.
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you all lived
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'vivir', used mainly in Spain. Describes a completed period of residence or life experience shared by multiple people you know well.
Vivisteis en la playa todo el verano pasado, ¡qué envidia!
You all lived at the beach all last summer, how envious!
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they/you all lived
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'vivir'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who completed a period of residence or a defined life phase at a specific past time.
Mis padres vivieron en París antes de que yo naciera.
My parents lived in Paris before I was born.
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I went / I was
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of both 'ir' (to go) and 'ser' (to be). In the preterite, this form is used for completed actions of going somewhere or for temporary states/identities in the past.
Fui al supermercado y luego fui el encargado de cocinar la cena.
I went to the supermarket and then I was the one in charge of cooking dinner.
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you went / you were
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'ir' and 'ser'. Used to describe a completed movement to a place or a temporary state/role that you had at a specific moment in the past.
¿Fuiste al concierto anoche? Fuiste muy afortunado de conseguir entradas.
Did you go to the concert last night? You were very lucky to get tickets.
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he/she/you went/was
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of both 'ir' (to go) and 'ser' (to be). Used for a completed movement to a place or a temporary state/identity of a specific person or formal 'you' at a concrete past moment.
Ella fue a la farmacia y luego fue la primera en llegar a la fiesta.
She went to the pharmacy and then she was the first to arrive at the party.
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we went/were
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'ir' and 'ser'. Describes a group that includes the speaker having gone somewhere or having had a specific temporary role/state at a defined past time.
Fuimos al cine pero la película fue un desastre total.
We went to the movies but the film was a total disaster.
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you all went/were
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'ir' and 'ser', used mainly in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who completed a movement or had a temporary state at a specific past time.
Fuisteis los ganadores del concurso, ¿verdad? ¡Fuisteis increíbles!
You all were the contest winners, right? You all were incredible!
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they/you all went/were
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'ir' and 'ser'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who completed a movement or had a specific state/role at a particular point in the past.
Mis amigos fueron a la montaña y fueron los primeros en ver el amanecer.
My friends went to the mountains and they were the first to see the sunrise.
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I was
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'estar' (to be, in terms of location, mood, or temporary condition). Describes a completed state, location, or feeling that existed at a specific, bounded time in the past.
Estuve en la oficina hasta las ocho y luego estuve muy cansado.
I was at the office until eight and then I was very tired.
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you were
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'estar'. Used to ask about or state a temporary condition, location, or mood that you had at a specific moment in the past.
¿Estuviste en la reunión de ayer? Estuviste muy callado durante toda la sesión.
Were you at yesterday's meeting? You were very quiet throughout the whole session.
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he/she/you was
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'estar'. Indicates a temporary location, mood, or condition of a specific person or formal 'you' that was true during a defined past period.
Mi hermana estuvo enferma toda la semana pero ya se recuperó.
My sister was sick all week but she's already recovered.
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we were
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'estar'. Refers to a group including the speaker having shared a temporary location, feeling, or state during a specific past time interval.
Estuvimos en la playa cuando empezó a llover y estuvimos empapados.
We were at the beach when it started to rain and we were soaked.
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you all were
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'estar', mainly used in Spain. Describes a temporary condition, location, or mood shared by a group of people you know well at a specific past time.
Estuvisteis en el concierto anoche, ¿no? Estuvisteis en primera fila.
You all were at the concert last night, right? You all were in the front row.
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they/you all were
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'estar'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who shared a temporary location, state, or condition during a defined past period.
Los invitados estuvieron en el jardín durante toda la ceremonia.
The guests were in the garden throughout the entire ceremony.
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I had
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'tener' (to have). Used to describe a completed experience of possessing, needing, or experiencing something at a specific moment in the past.
Tuve que trabajar hasta tarde anoche para terminar el proyecto.
I had to work late last night to finish the project.
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you had
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'tener'. Used to ask about or state a past experience of possession, obligation, or sensation that occurred at a definite time.
¿Tuviste oportunidad de hablar con el director después de la clase?
Did you have a chance to speak with the principal after class?
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he/she/you had
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'tener'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' experienced possession, obligation, or a physical/emotional state at a concrete past moment.
Mi jefe tuvo una reunión importante y no pudo atender mi llamada.
My boss had an important meeting and couldn't take my call.
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we had
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'tener'. Describes a shared experience of possession, obligation, or circumstance that a group including the speaker had at a specific past time.
Tuvimos un problema con el coche en la autopista y llegamos tarde.
We had a problem with the car on the highway and arrived late.
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you all had
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'tener', mainly used in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who experienced possession, obligation, or a situation together at a specific past time.
Tuvisteis mucha suerte de encontrar un apartamento tan céntrico.
You all had a lot of luck finding such a central apartment.
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they/you all had
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'tener'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who experienced possession, obligation, or a circumstance at a defined point in the past.
Los pasajeros tuvieron que esperar tres horas por el tren retrasado.
The passengers had to wait three hours for the delayed train.
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I did/made
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'hacer' (to do/make). Describes a completed action of doing, making, or creating something that occurred at a specific moment in the past.
Hice la cena para toda la familia y todos elogiaron mi cocina.
I made dinner for the whole family and everyone praised my cooking.
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you did/made
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'hacer'. Used to ask about or state a completed action of doing, making, or producing something at a definite past time.
¿Hiciste las maletas antes de salir para el aeropuerto?
Did you pack your suitcases before leaving for the airport?
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he/she/you did/made
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'hacer'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' completed an action of doing, making, or performing something at a concrete past time.
Ella hizo un pastel de chocolate increíble para el cumpleaños de su hermana.
She made an incredible chocolate cake for her sister's birthday.
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we did/made
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'hacer'. Describes a completed action of doing or making that a group including the speaker carried out at a specific past time.
Hicimos un viaje improvisado a la playa y fue lo mejor del verano.
We made an impromptu trip to the beach and it was the best part of summer.
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you all did/made
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'hacer', used mainly in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who completed an action of doing, making, or performing something at a specific past time.
Hicisteis un excelente trabajo en la presentación de ayer.
You all did an excellent job on yesterday's presentation.
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they/you all did/made
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'hacer'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who completed an action of doing or making something at a definite point in the past.
Mis vecinos hicieron una fiesta ruidosa hasta las tres de la madrugada.
My neighbors threw a loud party until three in the morning.
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I could/managed
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'poder' (to be able to). Used to express that you successfully managed to do something or had the ability to do it at a specific past moment, often implying that you actually did it.
Pude terminar el informe justo antes de la fecha límite.
I managed to finish the report just before the deadline.
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you could/managed
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'poder'. Used to ask about or state that you successfully accomplished or were able to do something at a defined past time, often with the implication that the action was completed.
¿Pudiste encontrar las llaves que perdiste en el parque?
Were you able to find the keys you lost in the park?
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he/she/you could/managed
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'poder'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' successfully managed to do something or had the capacity to do it at a concrete moment in the past.
Mi hermano pudo resolver el problema del ordenador en cinco minutos.
My brother managed to solve the computer problem in five minutes.
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we could/managed
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'poder'. Describes a group including the speaker that successfully accomplished or was able to do something at a specific past time.
Pudimos conseguir entradas para el concierto después de esperar dos horas.
We managed to get tickets for the concert after waiting two hours.
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you all could/managed
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'poder', mainly used in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who successfully managed to do something at a specific past time.
Pudisteis llegar a tiempo a pesar del tráfico, ¡qué alivio!
You all managed to arrive on time despite the traffic, what a relief!
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they/you all could/managed
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'poder'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who successfully managed to accomplish something at a defined point in the past.
Los bomberos pudieron apagar el incendio antes de que se extendiera.
The firefighters managed to put out the fire before it spread.
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I wanted
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'querer' (to want). In the preterite, this often expresses a specific moment of wanting or trying, and can also imply that the attempt was made (and sometimes failed or was rejected).
Quise llamarte pero mi teléfono se quedó sin batería.
I tried to call you but my phone ran out of battery.
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you wanted
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'querer'. Used to describe a specific instance of wanting, attempting, or expressing a desire at a concrete past time, sometimes implying a failed attempt or a particular moment of decision.
¿Por qué quisiste cambiar de trabajo tan repentinamente?
Why did you want to change jobs so suddenly?
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he/she/you wanted
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'querer' (to want). In the preterite, this often expresses a specific instance of wanting, trying, or rejecting something at a concrete past moment, frequently implying that the attempt was made or that the wanting was momentary.
Ella quiso ayudarme pero yo ya había terminado el trabajo.
She wanted to help me but I had already finished the work.
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we wanted
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'querer'. Describes a specific instance of wanting, trying, or intending something by a group including the speaker at a definite past time, often with a sense of a completed desire or attempt.
Quisimos reservar una mesa pero el restaurante estaba completo.
We tried to reserve a table but the restaurant was fully booked.
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you all wanted
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'querer', used mainly in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who expressed a specific want, desire, or intention at a concrete past moment.
Quisisteis comprar ese coche usado, pero al final os arrepentisteis.
You all wanted to buy that used car, but in the end you changed your minds.
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they/you all wanted
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'querer'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who had a specific want, attempt, or desire at a defined point in the past.
Los niños quisieron quedarse despiertos hasta medianoche pero se durmieron.
The children wanted to stay awake until midnight but they fell asleep.
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I found out/knew
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'saber' (to know). In the preterite, this typically means 'I found out' or 'I learned' — referring to the moment when you first discovered information, rather than simply knowing it over time.
Supe la verdad cuando vi el mensaje en su teléfono.
I found out the truth when I saw the message on his phone.
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you found out/knew
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'saber'. Used to ask about or state the moment when you learned or discovered information at a specific past time.
¿Supiste que María y Carlos se van a casar el próximo mes?
Did you find out that María and Carlos are getting married next month?
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he/she/you found out/knew
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'saber'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' discovered or learned something at a concrete moment in the past, rather than having known it all along.
Mi madre supo lo de mi viaje cuando vio las maletas en el pasillo.
My mother found out about my trip when she saw the suitcases in the hallway.
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we found out/knew
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'saber'. Describes the moment when a group including the speaker discovered or learned new information at a specific past time.
Supimos la noticia por las redes sociales, igual que todo el mundo.
We found out the news through social media, just like everyone else.
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you all found out/knew
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'saber', mainly used in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who discovered or learned something at a specific past moment.
Supisteis el resultado del examen por correo electrónico, ¿verdad?
You all found out the exam results by email, right?
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they/you all found out/knew
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'saber'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who discovered or learned something at a defined point in the past.
Los vecinos supieron del robo cuando vieron a la policía en la calle.
The neighbors found out about the robbery when they saw the police on the street.
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I put/placed
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'poner' (to put/place). Used to describe a completed action of placing, setting, or putting something somewhere at a specific moment in the past.
Puse las llaves en la mesita de la entrada y ahora no las encuentro.
I put the keys on the little table by the entrance and now I can't find them.
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you put/placed
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'poner'. Used to ask about or state where or how you placed, set, or put something at a definite past time.
¿Pusiste el libro en la estantería que te pedí?
Did you put the book on the shelf I asked you to?
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he/she/you put/placed
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'poner'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' placed, set, or put something somewhere at a concrete past moment.
Mi jefe puso su firma en el contrato sin leerlo detenidamente.
My boss put his signature on the contract without reading it carefully.
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we put/placed
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'poner'. Describes a group including the speaker having placed, set, or put something somewhere at a specific past time.
Pusimos la mesa para la cena y luego nos sentamos a comer.
We set the table for dinner and then we sat down to eat.
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you all put/placed
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'poner', used mainly in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who placed, set, or put something somewhere at a specific past time.
Pusisteis las maletas en el coche justo antes de que empezara a llover.
You all put the suitcases in the car just before it started to rain.
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they/you all put/placed
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'poner'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who placed, set, or put something somewhere at a defined point in the past.
Los niños pusieron sus juguetes en el cajón antes de ir a dormir.
The children put their toys in the drawer before going to sleep.
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I came
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'venir' (to come). Describes a completed action of arriving at or coming to a place, with the focus on the speaker's movement toward the current location at a specific past time.
Vine a esta ciudad hace diez años y nunca me fui.
I came to this city ten years ago and never left.
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you came
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'venir'. Used to ask about or state that you arrived at or came to a place at a definite past time, referring to movement toward the speaker or destination.
¿Viniste a la fiesta de cumpleaños de Juan el sábado pasado?
Did you come to Juan's birthday party last Saturday?
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he/she/you came
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'venir'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' arrived at or came to a place at a concrete past moment, emphasizing movement toward the speaker or the location of focus.
Mi hermana vino a visitarme el fin de semana y nos divertimos mucho.
My sister came to visit me on the weekend and we had a lot of fun.
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we came
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'venir'. Describes a group including the speaker having arrived at or come to a place at a specific past time, with a sense of completed movement toward the current or specified location.
Vinimos al restaurante recomendado por un amigo y la comida fue excelente.
We came to the restaurant recommended by a friend and the food was excellent.
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you all came
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'venir', used mainly in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who arrived at or came to a place at a specific past time.
Vinisteis justo a tiempo para ver el final del partido.
You all came just in time to see the end of the match.
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they/you all came
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'venir'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who arrived at or came to a place at a defined point in the past.
Mis primos vinieron a cenar y se quedaron hasta la medianoche.
My cousins came over for dinner and stayed until midnight.
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I said/told
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'decir' (to say/tell). Used to describe a completed act of speaking, stating, or telling something to someone at a specific moment in the past.
Te dije que no confiaras en él, pero no me hiciste caso.
I told you not to trust him, but you didn't listen to me.
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you said/told
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'decir'. Used to ask about or state what you said, told, or expressed to someone at a definite past time.
¿Qué dijiste en la reunión que enfadó tanto al jefe?
What did you say in the meeting that made the boss so angry?
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he/she/you said/told
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'decir'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' spoke, stated, or told something at a concrete past moment.
El profesor dijo que el examen sería más fácil de lo que pensábamos.
The teacher said that the exam would be easier than we thought.
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we said/told
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'decir'. Describes a group including the speaker having spoken, stated, or told something at a specific past time.
Dijimos que llegaríamos a las ocho pero llegamos con retraso.
We said we would arrive at eight but we arrived late.
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you all said/told
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'decir', mainly used in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who said, told, or expressed something at a specific past time.
Dijisteis que ibais a llamar, pero nunca lo hicisteis.
You all said you were going to call, but you never did.
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they/you all said/told
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'decir'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who spoke, stated, or told something at a defined point in the past.
Los testigos dijeron que vieron al sospechoso salir del edificio.
The witnesses said they saw the suspect leaving the building.
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I brought
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'traer' (to bring). Describes a completed action of carrying or bringing something (or someone) to the current location at a specific moment in the past.
Traje un pastel de chocolate para la celebración de hoy.
I brought a chocolate cake for today's celebration.
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you brought
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'traer'. Used to ask about or state that you carried or brought something (or someone) to a place at a definite past time.
¿Trajiste el paraguas? Parece que va a llover en cualquier momento.
Did you bring the umbrella? It looks like it's going to rain any minute now.
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he/she/you brought
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'traer' (to bring). Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' carried or brought something (or someone) to the current location at a concrete past moment.
Mi vecino trajo su guitarra y tocó canciones toda la noche.
My neighbor brought his guitar and played songs all night.
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we brought
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'traer'. Describes a group including the speaker having brought something or someone to a place at a specific past time.
Trajimos suficiente comida para todos los invitados, pero sobró mucho.
We brought enough food for all the guests, but a lot was left over.
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you all brought
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'traer', used mainly in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who brought something or someone to a place at a specific past time.
Trajisteis los documentos que pedía el abogado, ¿verdad?
You all brought the documents that the lawyer asked for, right?
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they/you all brought
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'traer'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who carried or brought something or someone to a place at a defined point in the past.
Los estudiantes trajeron sus laptops para el examen práctico.
The students brought their laptops for the practical exam.
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I gave
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'dar' (to give). Describes a completed action of giving, handing over, or granting something to someone at a specific moment in the past.
Te di mi número de teléfono pero nunca me llamaste.
I gave you my phone number but you never called me.
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you gave
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'dar'. Used to ask about or state that you gave, handed, or granted something to someone at a definite past time.
¿Le diste el regalo a tu madre en su cumpleaños?
Did you give the gift to your mother on her birthday?
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he/she/you gave
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'dar'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' gave, handed, or granted something to someone at a concrete past moment.
El banco nos dio el préstamo para comprar la casa en solo dos días.
The bank gave us the loan to buy the house in just two days.
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we gave
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'dar'. Describes a group including the speaker having given, handed, or granted something to someone at a specific past time.
Le dimos un abrazo a nuestro amigo antes de que se fuera del país.
We gave our friend a hug before he left the country.
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you all gave
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'dar', used mainly in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who gave, handed, or granted something to someone at a specific past time.
Disteis una oportunidad al nuevo empleado y resultó ser excelente.
You all gave the new employee a chance and he turned out to be excellent.
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they/you all gave
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'dar'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who gave, handed, or granted something to someone at a defined point in the past.
Los vecinos dieron una fiesta sorpresa para celebrar el fin de las obras.
The neighbors threw a surprise party to celebrate the end of the construction.
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I saw
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'ver' (to see). Describes a completed action of perceiving something with your eyes at a specific moment in the past, often used for sudden or distinct visual experiences.
Vi a tu hermana en el supermercado y me dijo que te habías mudado.
I saw your sister at the supermarket and she told me you had moved.
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you saw
Second-person singular informal (tú) preterite form of 'ver'. Used to ask about or state a completed visual experience you had at a definite past time.
¿Viste la nueva película de terror que estrenaron el viernes?
Did you see the new horror movie that premiered on Friday?
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he/she/you saw
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'ver'. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' perceived something visually at a concrete past moment.
El guardia de seguridad vio algo sospechoso en las cámaras y llamó a la policía.
The security guard saw something suspicious on the cameras and called the police.
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we saw
First-person plural (nosotros/nosotras) preterite form of 'ver'. Describes a group including the speaker having seen or witnessed something at a specific past time.
Vimos un eclipse lunar increíble desde la terraza de nuestra casa.
We saw an incredible lunar eclipse from our house terrace.
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you all saw
Second-person plural informal (vosotros/vosotras) preterite form of 'ver', used mainly in Spain. Refers to a group of people you know well who had a completed visual experience at a specific past time.
¿Visteis el accidente en la autopista cuando volvíais a casa?
Did you all see the accident on the highway when you were coming home?
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they/you all saw
Third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) preterite form of 'ver'. Used for a group of people (or formal plural 'you all') who saw or witnessed something at a defined point in the past.
Los niños vieron un oso en el bosque durante la excursión escolar.
The children saw a bear in the forest during the school field trip.
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I arrived
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'llegar' (to arrive), with a spelling change (gué) to preserve the hard 'g' sound. Used to describe the completed act of reaching a destination at a specific past moment.
Llegué a la estación justo cuando el tren estaba cerrando las puertas.
I arrived at the station just as the train was closing its doors.
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I searched/looked for
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'buscar' (to search/look for), with a spelling change (qué) to preserve the hard 'c' sound. Describes a completed search or attempt to find something at a specific past time.
Busqué mis gafas por toda la casa y al final estaban encima de mi cabeza.
I searched for my glasses all over the house and in the end they were on top of my head.
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I started/began
First-person singular (yo) preterite form of 'empezar' (to start/begin), with a spelling change (c → z) and accent (cé). Used to describe the specific moment when you started or began something in the past.
Empecé a aprender francés el año pasado y ya puedo mantener una conversación básica.
I started learning French last year and I can already hold a basic conversation.
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he/she/you read
Third-person singular (él/ella/usted) preterite form of 'leer' (to read), with an accent mark (ó) added to distinguish it from the present tense. Indicates that a specific person or formal 'you' completed reading something at a concrete past moment.
Mi abuela leyó el periódico entero mientras tomaba su café matutino.
My grandmother read the entire newspaper while having her morning coffee.