Mixing Past Tenses

This exact form ('hablaba') can mean 'I was speaking' (yo) OR 'He/She/You (formal) was speaking' (él/ella/usted). You need context or the subject pronoun to know who is doing the action.

Dual Subject Usage

The imperfect tense (hablaba) is used for actions that were ongoing, repeated habits, or descriptions of a state in the past (like setting the scene). Think of it as 'was talking' or 'used to talk'.

The 'Imperfect' Function

Use 'hablaba' and other imperfect verbs to describe the background, weather, or emotions when a main event (often using the preterite tense) happened: 'Ella hablaba tranquilamente (background) cuando el teléfono sonó (main event).'

Setting the Scene

Extremely common. This form is essential for describing past routines, ongoing actions, and setting the scene in a story.

Learn the meaning and usage of 'hablaba' (I/he/she was speaking; I/he/she used to speak), the imperfect form of the verb 'hablar'. Includes conjugation tables and tips on distinguishing it from the simple past.

hablaba

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations