decepcionar Imperfect Conjugation
decepcionar — to disappoint
The imperfect 'decepcionaba', 'decepcionabas' describes past habits, ongoing actions, or background settings related to disappointment.
decepcionar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect when talking about a past situation where disappointment was ongoing, habitual, or setting the scene. For instance, 'He used to disappoint his teacher' or 'I was feeling disappointed because...'.
Notes on decepcionar in the Imperfect
'Decepcionar' is regular in the imperfect indicative.
Example Sentences
Cuando era joven, decepcionaba a mis padres a menudo.
When I was young, I often disappointed my parents.
yo
Ella se decepcionaba fácilmente con los resultados.
She used to get disappointed easily with the results.
él/ella/usted
No nos decepcionaban tanto como creíamos.
They didn't disappoint us as much as we thought.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Tú siempre decepcionabas a la gente con tus promesas rotas.
You always disappointed people with your broken promises.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a specific, completed past disappointment.
Correct: Use 'Me decepcionó' for a single event, not 'Me decepcionaba'.
Why: The preterite is for completed actions, the imperfect for ongoing or habitual ones.
Mistake: Confusing the nosotros form 'decepcionábamos' with the preterite 'decepcionamos'.
Correct: Remember the '-ba-' stem for imperfect and the '-amos' ending for nosotros.
Why: These are distinct tenses serving different functions.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: decepciono
The present tense 'decepciono', 'decepcionas', 'decepciona' describes current actions or habits of disappointing.
Preterite
yo: decepcioné
The preterite of 'decepcionar' is regular: decepcioné, decepcionaste, decepcionó, decepcionamos, decepcionasteis, decepcionaron.
Future
yo: decepcionaré
The future tense 'decepcionaré', 'decepcionarás' indicates actions that will happen, or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: decepcionaría
The conditional 'decepcionaría', 'decepcionarías' expresses hypothetical outcomes ('would'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: decepcione
The present subjunctive ('decepcione', 'decepciones') follows expressions of doubt, emotion, desire, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: decepcionara
The imperfect subjunctive ('decepcionara'/'decepcionase') expresses past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: decepciona
Use 'decepciona' (tú) and 'decepcione' (usted) for direct commands, 'decepcionad' (vosotros), and 'decepcionemos/decepcionen' (nosotros/ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no decepciones
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: 'no decepciones' (tú), 'no decepcione' (usted), etc.