observar Imperfect Conjugation
observar — observe
The imperfect tense of observar (observaba, observabas, observaba...) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
observar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense to describe habitual actions in the past ('I used to observe') or ongoing actions in the past that set the scene ('while I was observing'). It paints a picture of the past without a defined end.
Notes on observar in the Imperfect
Observar is regular in the imperfect tense. The stem is 'observab-', and you add the standard imperfect endings (-a, -as, -a, -amos, -ais, -an).
Example Sentences
Yo observaba los pájaros en el parque todos los días.
I used to observe the birds in the park every day.
yo
¿Tú observabas la televisión cuando sonó el teléfono?
Were you watching television when the phone rang?
tú
Ella observaba las nubes mientras esperaba.
She was observing the clouds while she waited.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros observábamos las estrellas fugaces.
We were observing the shooting stars.
nosotros
Ellos observaban el tráfico desde la ventana.
They were observing the traffic from the window.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Correct: For past habits or descriptions, use the imperfect: 'Yo observaba'. Use the preterite for completed actions: 'Yo observé'.
Why: The imperfect describes the background or duration, while the preterite marks a specific, finished event.
Mistake: Confusing the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms.
Correct: The 'nosotros' form is 'observábamos' and the 'vosotros' form is 'observabais'.
Why: These endings (-ábamos, -abais) are standard for the imperfect tense.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: observo
The present tense of observar (observo, observas, observa...) is used for habitual actions, things happening now, and general truths.
Preterite
yo: observé
The preterite of observar (observé, observaste, observó...) indicates completed actions in the past.
Future
yo: observaré
The future tense of observar (observaré, observarás, observará...) is used for actions that will happen or to express probability.
Conditional
yo: observaría
The conditional of observar (observaría, observarías, observaría...) expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: observe
The present subjunctive of observar (observe, observes, observemos, observéis, observen) is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: observara
The imperfect subjunctive of observar (e.g., observara, observaras) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: observa
Imperative forms of observar include: observa (tú), observe (usted), observemos (nosotros), observad (vosotros), observen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no observes
Negative commands for 'observar' use the present subjunctive: no observes (tú), no observe (usted), no observemos (nosotros), no observéis (vosotros), no observen (ustedes).