interpretar Preterite Conjugation
interpretar — to interpret
The preterite of interpretar is regular: interpreté, interpretaste, interpretó, interpretamos, interpretasteis, interpretaron.
interpretar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite of 'interpretar' to talk about a specific instance where someone interpreted something (a word, a situation, a piece of art) and the action was completed.
Notes on interpretar in the Preterite
Interpretar is regular in the preterite. The nosotros form 'interpretamos' is identical to the present indicative, so context is key.
Example Sentences
Yo interpreté mal tus intenciones.
I misinterpreted your intentions.
yo
¿Tú interpretaste el mensaje correctamente?
Did you interpret the message correctly?
tú
Ella interpretó el papel principal en la obra.
She interpreted the main role in the play.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros interpretamos la canción de forma diferente.
We interpreted the song differently.
nosotros
Ellos interpretaron la señal como una amenaza.
They interpreted the signal as a threat.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect 'interpretaba' instead of the preterite 'interpretó' for a single, completed act of interpretation.
Correct: For a specific, finished action, use the preterite: 'Ella interpretó' (She interpreted).
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, while the preterite marks completed events.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'interpretó' (él/ella/usted) and 'interpreté' (yo).
Correct: Add the accent: 'interpretó', 'interpreté'.
Why: The accent marks the stress on the final syllable and distinguishes these forms from others.
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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.
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.
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.