pinchar Preterite Conjugation
pinchar — to prick
The preterite of pinchar is regular: pinché, pinchaste, pinchó, pinchamos, pinchasteis, pincharon.
pinchar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for completed actions in the past. Think of it as 'pinched' or 'pricked' at a specific moment. For example, 'pinché el globo' (I pricked the balloon) is a single, finished event.
Notes on pinchar in the Preterite
Pinchar is a regular -ar verb and follows the standard conjugation pattern in the preterite.
Example Sentences
Yo pinché la pelota con una aguja.
I pricked the ball with a needle.
yo
Tú pinchaste el dedo con el alfiler.
You pricked your finger with the pin.
tú
Él pinchó la llanta del coche sin querer.
He accidentally pricked the car tire.
él/ella/usted
Ellos pincharon la lista de tareas.
They ticked off the to-do list.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of the preterite for a single, completed action.
Correct: For a specific past event like 'pinchar', use the preterite: 'pinché'.
Why: The imperfect ('pinchaba') describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not single, finished ones.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'pinchó' for él/ella/usted.
Correct: The él/ella/usted form is 'pinchó' with an accent on the 'o'.
Why: The accent is crucial for distinguishing this form and indicating stress.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: pincho
The present of pinchar is regular: pincho, pinchas, pincha, pinchamos, pincháis, pinchan.
Imperfect
yo: pinchaba
The imperfect of pinchar is regular: pinchaba, pinchabas, pinchaba, pinchábamos, pinchabais, pinchaban.
Future
yo: pincharé
The future of pinchar is regular: pincharé, pincharás, pinchará, pincharemos, pincharéis, pincharán.
Conditional
yo: pincharía
The conditional of pinchar is regular: pincharía, pincharías, pincharía, pincharíamos, pincharíais, pincharían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: pinche
Use 'pinche' (yo/él/ella/Ud.), 'pinches' (tú), 'pinchemos' (nosotros), 'pinchéis' (vosotros), 'pinchen' (ellos/ellas/Uds.) for wishes, doubts, emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: pinchara
Use 'pinchara' or 'pinchase' forms for past hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: pincha
Use 'pincha' (tú), 'pinche' (usted), 'pinchemos' (nosotros), 'pinchad' (vosotros), 'pinchen' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no pinches
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: 'no pinches' (tú), 'no pinche' (usted), etc.