aspirar Present Conjugation
aspirar — to breathe in
The present tense 'aspiro' is for actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths.
aspirar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense for things you do regularly, what's happening right now, or general facts. For 'aspirar', it can mean literally breathing in, or having ambitions.
Notes on aspirar in the Present
Aspirar is a regular -ar verb in the present indicative. The only slight irregularity is that the 'yo' form ('aspiro') is used for the present subjunctive 'yo', 'tú', 'él/ella/usted', and 'ustedes' forms as well.
Example Sentences
Yo aspiro aire fresco por la mañana.
I breathe in fresh air in the morning.
yo
¿Aspiras a ser rico?
Do you aspire to be rich?
tú
Él aspira a un ascenso.
He is aiming for a promotion.
él/ella/usted
Ellos aspiran a mejorar sus vidas.
They aspire to improve their lives.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present tense for an action that just finished.
Correct: Use the preterite 'aspiré' for a completed action, like 'Aspiré el humo y salí'.
Why: The present tense describes ongoing or habitual actions, not specific completed ones.
Mistake: Confusing 'aspiro' (present) with 'aspiré' (preterite).
Correct: Remember that 'aspiro' is for now or habits, and 'aspiré' is for a completed action in the past.
Why: The endings are different, and the context determines which tense is correct.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: aspiré
The preterite of aspirar is regular: aspiré, aspiraste, aspiró, aspiramos, aspirasteis, aspiraron.
Imperfect
yo: aspiraba
The imperfect 'aspiraba' describes ongoing past actions, habits, or background details.
Future
yo: aspiraré
The future tense 'aspiraré' expresses what will happen or probability.
Conditional
yo: aspiraría
The conditional 'aspiraría' is used for hypotheticals ('would'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: aspire
The present subjunctive, like 'aspire' or 'aspiren', follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: aspirara
The imperfect subjunctive, like 'aspirara' or 'aspirase', is for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: aspira
Use imperative forms like 'aspira' (tú) and 'aspiren' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no aspires
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no aspires' (tú) or 'no aspiren' (ustedes).