contentar Imperfect Conjugation
contentar — to please
Use imperfect forms like 'contentaba' (yo) and 'contentaba' (él/ella/usted) for ongoing or habitual past actions of pleasing.
contentar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
The imperfect tense of 'contentar' describes actions in the past that were ongoing, habitual, or set the scene. Think 'He used to try to please everyone' or 'The music was pleasing the crowd.'
Notes on contentar in the Imperfect
'Contentar' is regular in the imperfect indicative tense. The forms are: contentaba, contentabas, contentaba, contentábamos, contentabais, contentaban.
Example Sentences
Yo me contentaba con poco cuando era joven.
I was satisfied with little when I was young.
yo
Él siempre intentaba contentar a su jefe.
He always tried to please his boss.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros nos contentábamos con la comida.
We were satisfied with the food.
nosotros
Ellos se contentaban con lo que tenían.
They were content with what they had.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite ('contentó') for a habitual past action.
Correct: For habitual or ongoing past actions, use the imperfect: 'Él siempre contentaba.'
Why: The imperfect describes the background or routine, while the preterite describes a specific, completed event.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'contentaba' with the imperfect subjunctive 'contentara'.
Correct: The imperfect indicative ('contentaba') describes past reality (habitual or ongoing), while the imperfect subjunctive ('contentara') is for hypothetical or wished-for past situations.
Why: They are different moods serving different grammatical functions.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'contentar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: contento
Use present forms like 'contento' (yo) and 'contenta' (él/ella/usted) for current actions or general truths about pleasing.
Preterite
yo: contenté
Use preterite forms like 'contenté' (yo) and 'contentó' (él/ella/usted) for completed actions of pleasing or becoming happy.
Future
yo: contentaré
Use future forms like 'contentaré' (yo) and 'contentará' (él/ella/usted) for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: contentaría
Use conditional forms like 'contentaría' (yo) and 'contentaría' (él/ella/usted) for hypothetical situations ('would please') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: contente
Use present subjunctive forms like 'contente' (yo/él/ella/usted) and 'contentes' (tú) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: contentara
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'contentara' or 'contentase' for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: contenta
Use imperative forms like 'contenta' (tú) and 'contente' (usted) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no contentes
Use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no contentes' (tú) and 'no contente' (usted), for negative commands.