besar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
besar — to kiss
Use the imperfect subjunctive (besara/besase) for past hypotheticals or wishes.
besar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for past situations that were hypothetical, uncertain, or contrary to fact, often in 'if' clauses ('Si yo besara...'), or after verbs expressing doubt or desire in the past. It's also used to politely request something in the past.
Notes on besar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Besar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the '-ra' form (besara) or the '-se' form (besase); the '-ra' form is more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Si yo besara la mano de la reina, me sentiría honrado.
If I kissed the queen's hand, I would feel honored.
yo
Me gustaría que me besaras.
I would like you to kiss me.
tú
Él actuaba como si me besara todos los días.
He acted as if he kissed me every day.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá ellos nos besaran al vernos.
I wish they would kiss us when they see us.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: In hypothetical or uncertain past clauses, use 'besara' or 'besase', not 'besaba'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is specifically designed for these non-factual or uncertain past scenarios.
Mistake: Confusing the '-ra' and '-se' endings.
Correct: Both 'besara' and 'besase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms. Stick to one or use the more common '-ra' form.
Why: While both are grammatically valid, learners often get confused about which to use or how to form them.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: beso
The present tense of besar (beso, besas...) describes current actions or habits.
Preterite
yo: besé
The preterite of besar (besé, besaste...) marks completed actions in the past.
Imperfect
yo: besaba
The imperfect of besar (besaba, besabas...) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: besaré
The future tense of besar (besaré, besarás...) talks about actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: besaría
The conditional of besar (besaría, besarías...) expresses 'would kiss' or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: bese
Use present subjunctive (bese, beses, etc.) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: besa
Use the imperative of besar for direct commands like 'Besa tú!' or '¡Besemos!'
Negative Imperative
yo: no beses
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: 'No beses' (Don't kiss).