decepcionar Preterite Conjugation
decepcionar — to disappoint
The preterite of 'decepcionar' is regular: decepcioné, decepcionaste, decepcionó, decepcionamos, decepcionasteis, decepcionaron.
decepcionar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to talk about a specific instance when someone was disappointed, or when someone disappointed another person at a particular moment in the past.
Notes on decepcionar in the Preterite
'Decepcionar' is a regular -ar verb, so all its preterite forms are regular.
Example Sentences
Ayer, el resultado me decepcionó mucho.
Yesterday, the result disappointed me a lot.
él/ella/usted
Te decepcionamos sin querer.
We disappointed you unintentionally.
nosotros
Ella decepcionó a sus padres con sus notas.
She disappointed her parents with her grades.
él/ella/usted
Los fans se decepcionaron cuando cancelaron el concierto.
The fans were disappointed when they canceled the concert.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of the preterite for a single past event.
Correct: Use 'Me decepcionó' for a specific past disappointment, not 'Me decepcionaba'.
Why: The preterite marks completed actions, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Confusing 'decepcionamos' (preterite) with 'decepcionamos' (present).
Correct: Context will usually clarify if 'decepcionamos' refers to a past event or a current habit.
Why: The nosotros form is identical in the present and preterite indicative.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: decepciono
The present tense 'decepciono', 'decepcionas', 'decepciona' describes current actions or habits of disappointing.
Imperfect
yo: decepcionaba
The imperfect 'decepcionaba', 'decepcionabas' describes past habits, ongoing actions, or background settings related to disappointment.
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.