definir Preterite Conjugation
definir — to define
Use the preterite of 'definir' for completed actions like 'I defined' or 'she defined'.
definir Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
The preterite tense is for actions that were completed at a specific point in the past. If you defined a word yesterday, or if a company defined its mission last year, you would use the preterite of 'definir'.
Notes on definir in the Preterite
Definir is regular in the preterite. It follows the standard pattern for -ir verbs: yo definí, tú definiste, él/ella/usted definió, nosotros definimos, vosotros definisteis, ellos/ellas/ustedes definieron.
Example Sentences
Yo definí el concepto en mi ensayo.
I defined the concept in my essay.
yo
¿Tú definiste los términos del acuerdo?
Did you define the terms of the agreement?
tú
Ella definió su estilo artístico en esa exposición.
She defined her artistic style in that exhibition.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros definimos nuestras metas para el año.
We defined our goals for the year.
nosotros
Ellos definieron las reglas del juego.
They defined the rules of the game.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of the preterite for a single, completed definition.
Correct: Instead of 'Yo definía el término ayer', use 'Yo definí el término ayer'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, while the preterite marks a specific, finished event.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'definió' (él/ella/usted).
Correct: The form is 'definió' with an accent on the 'o', not 'defini'.
Why: The accent distinguishes the third-person singular preterite from other forms and indicates the stressed syllable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: defino
Use the present of 'definir' for 'I define', 'you define', 'they define' happening now or habitually.
Imperfect
yo: definía
Use the imperfect of 'definir' for ongoing or habitual past actions like 'I used to define' or 'she was defining'.
Future
yo: definiré
Use the future of 'definir' for 'I will define', 'you will define', 'they will define'.
Conditional
yo: definiría
Use the conditional of 'definir' for 'I would define', 'you would define', 'they would define'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: defina
Use the present subjunctive (defina/defina) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: definiera
Use the imperfect subjunctive (definiera/definiese) for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: define
Use the imperative of definir for direct commands like 'define!', 'let's define!'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no definas
Use 'no + present subjunctive' for negative commands like 'don't define!'.