Inklingo
A determined cartoon character successfully leaps across a small chasm to grab a large golden key resting on a ledge, illustrating seizing an opportunity.

aprovechar Imperfect Conjugation

aprovecharto take advantage of

A2regular -ar★★★★★
Quick answer:

Use 'aprovechaba' (yo/él/ella/usted) for ongoing or habitual past actions.

aprovechar Imperfect Forms

yoaprovechaba
aprovechabas
él/ella/ustedaprovechaba
nosotrosaprovechábamos
vosotrosaprovechabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesaprovechaban

When to Use the Imperfect

The imperfect tense describes ongoing actions in the past, habitual actions, or sets the scene. For 'aprovechar', it could mean 'Antes aprovechaba más mi tiempo libre' (I used to make more use of my free time) or 'Mientras estudiaba, aprovechaba para escuchar música' (While I was studying, I took the opportunity to listen to music).

Notes on aprovechar in the Imperfect

Aprovechar is regular in the imperfect tense. It uses the stem 'aprovecha-' and adds the standard imperfect endings: -ba, -bas, -ba, -bamos, -bais, -ban.

Example Sentences

  • Yo aprovechaba cada oportunidad para aprender.

    I used to take advantage of every opportunity to learn.

    yo

  • ¿Tú aprovechabas bien tus vacaciones?

    Did you make good use of your vacation?

  • Ella aprovechaba el viaje para practicar su español.

    She used the trip to practice her Spanish.

    él/ella/usted

  • Nosotros aprovechábamos las tardes de verano.

    We used to make the most of the summer afternoons.

    nosotros

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for descriptions or habits.

    Correct: Use imperfect ('aprovechaba') for ongoing or habitual past actions; use preterite ('aproveché') for completed actions.

    Why: The imperfect sets the background or describes repeated actions, while the preterite focuses on a specific, finished event.

  • Mistake: Confusing the 'nosotros' imperfect form with the present tense.

    Correct: The imperfect 'nosotros' form is 'aprovechábamos', while the present is 'aprovechamos'.

    Why: The '-ba-' sound is key to the imperfect tense, indicating past action.

Master Spanish verbs in context

Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'aprovechar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.

Related Tenses