interpretar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
interpretar — to interpret
The imperfect subjunctive (interpretara/interpretase) is for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
interpretar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for past wishes, doubts, emotions, or in 'if' clauses referring to unlikely or contrary-to-fact situations in the past.
Notes on interpretar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Interpretar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, though -ra is more common.
Example Sentences
Quería que interpretaras mi poema en la fiesta.
I wanted you to interpret my poem at the party.
tú
Si yo interpretara mejor la situación, habría actuado diferente.
If I had interpreted the situation better, I would have acted differently.
yo
Me sorprendió que no interpretaran la noticia como algo positivo.
It surprised me that they didn't interpret the news as something positive.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ojalá interpretaseis la música con más sentimiento.
I wish you (Spain) would interpret the music with more feeling.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical or desired past actions, use the subjunctive: 'Si interpretara...' not 'Si interpretaba...'.
Why: The indicative describes facts or ongoing past actions, while the subjunctive expresses uncertainty, desire, or unreality.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both are correct, but be consistent within a sentence. '-ra' is generally more common.
Why: They are interchangeable variants of the same 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.
Imperfect
yo: interpretaba
The imperfect of 'interpretar' describes past habits or ongoing interpretations: interpretaba, interpretabas, interpretaba, interpretábamos, interpretabais, interpretaban.
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.
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.