mamar Imperfect Conjugation
mamar — to suckle
The imperfect of 'mamar' (mamaba, mamabas, mamaba, mamábamos, mamabais, mamaban) describes ongoing or habitual suckling in the past.
mamar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'mamar' to describe actions that were happening over a period of time in the past, or habitual actions. For example, 'Cuando era bebé, mamaba mucho' (When I was a baby, I used to suckle a lot).
Notes on mamar in the Imperfect
'Mamar' is a regular -ar verb in the imperfect tense.
Example Sentences
El bebé mamaba tranquilamente en sus brazos.
The baby was suckling peacefully in his arms.
él/ella/usted
Tú mamabas cada dos horas.
You used to suckle every two hours.
tú
Nosotros mamábamos leche de mamá.
We used to suckle milk from mom.
nosotros
Ellos mamaban mientras veían la tele.
They were suckling while they watched TV.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite for background description or ongoing past actions.
Correct: For ongoing or habitual past actions, use the imperfect: 'mamaba', 'mamaban'. Use the preterite 'mamó', 'mamaron' for completed actions.
Why: The imperfect sets the scene or describes continuous past actions, while the preterite focuses on a completed event.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: mamo
The present tense of 'mamar' (mamo, mamas, mama, mamamos, mamáis, maman) describes habitual or ongoing suckling.
Preterite
yo: mamé
The preterite of 'mamar' (mamé, mamaste, mamó, mamamos, mamasteis, mamaron) describes completed actions of suckling.
Future
yo: mamaré
The future tense of 'mamar' (mamaré, mamarás, mamará, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: mamaría
The conditional of 'mamar' (mamaría, mamarías, mamaría, etc.) expresses hypothetical actions ('would suckle') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: mame
The present subjunctive of 'mamar' (e.g., 'mame', 'mames', 'mamen') expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: mamara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'mamar' (e.g., 'mamara', 'mamaras') is used for hypothetical past situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: mama
Use imperative forms like 'mama' (tú) and 'mamen' (ustedes) for direct commands with 'mamar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no mames
Negative commands for 'mamar' use 'no' plus present subjunctive forms, like 'no mames' (tú) or 'no mamen' (ustedes).