interpretar Imperfect Conjugation
interpretar — to interpret
The imperfect of 'interpretar' describes past habits or ongoing interpretations: interpretaba, interpretabas, interpretaba, interpretábamos, interpretabais, interpretaban.
interpretar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'interpretar' to describe habitual actions in the past (how someone always used to interpret things), ongoing interpretations in the past, or background descriptions.
Notes on interpretar in the Imperfect
Interpretar is regular in the imperfect tense. The forms consistently use the '-aba' stem.
Example Sentences
Yo interpretaba esas señales como una invitación.
I used to interpret those signals as an invitation.
yo
Tú siempre interpretas las cosas de manera muy literal.
You always interpreted things very literally.
tú
Cuando era joven, él interpretaba la poesía de forma muy diferente.
When he was young, he interpreted poetry very differently.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros interpretábamos las noticias con mucho escepticismo.
We used to interpret the news with much skepticism.
nosotros
Ellos interpretaban el silencio como un signo de aprobación.
They interpreted the silence as a sign of approval.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'interpretó' instead of the imperfect 'interpretaba' for a repeated past action.
Correct: Use the imperfect for habits or ongoing actions: 'Ella interpretaba...' (She used to interpret...).
Why: The preterite is for single, completed events, while the imperfect is for repeated or continuous past actions.
Mistake: Confusing the 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' forms.
Correct: Both are 'interpretaba'. Context clarifies who is doing the interpreting.
Why: These forms are identical, a common characteristic of the imperfect tense.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: interpreto
The present tense of 'interpretar' describes current actions or habits: interpreto, interpretas, interpreta, interpretamos, interpretáis, interpretan.
Preterite
yo: interpreté
The preterite of interpretar is regular: interpreté, interpretaste, interpretó, interpretamos, interpretasteis, interpretaron.
Future
yo: interpretaré
The future tense of 'interpretar' indicates future actions: interpretaré, interpretarás, interpretará, interpretaremos, interpretaréis, interpretarán.
Conditional
yo: interpretaría
The conditional of 'interpretar' expresses hypotheticals ('would interpret'): interpretaría, interpretarías, interpretaría, interpretaríamos, interpretaríais, interpretarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: interprete
Use the present subjunctive for wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty: interprete, interpretes, interpretemos, interpreten.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: interpretara
The imperfect subjunctive (interpretara/interpretase) is for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: interpreta
Interpret commands using the imperative: interpreta, interprete, interpretemos, interpreten, interpretad.
Negative Imperative
yo: no interpretes
Use 'no' + present subjunctive for negative commands: no interpretes, no interprete, no interpretemos, no interpreten, no interpretéis.