This word is a specific past form (the imperfect tense) of the verb *referir* (to refer or mention). It describes an action that was ongoing, habitual, or setting the scene in the past. You use it to say that a person or group *was referring* to something, or *used to refer* to something repeatedly.

Confusing Past Tenses

The imperfect tense ('refería') paints a picture of the past. It shows continuous actions, habits, or descriptions, unlike the preterite tense, which marks a completed, single action.

The Imperfect Tense's Job

In Spanish, we usually add 'se' (se refería) when talking about referring *to* something or someone. This is the most common way you will hear and use this verb.

Common Reflexive Use

Use 'refería' to describe the background or setting of a story: 'Mientras él refería la historia, el público reía.' (While he was telling the story, the audience was laughing.)

Setting the Scene

Extremely common, especially in conversations discussing past topics or intentions. Often used reflexively as 'se refería' (he/she/it was referring to).

Used in a more formal context to describe the past action of recounting, relating, or telling a detailed report, story, or piece of information repeatedly.

When you need a sophisticated word for 'to tell a story' or 'to report information' in a past continuous setting, 'refería' is an excellent choice for B2+ learners.

Formal Language

Less common than the 'to refer' meaning; usually found in literary or formal historical texts.

Learn the meaning and conjugation of the Spanish word 'refería,' the imperfect form of 'referir.' Used to express 'was referring' or 'used to recount' in the past.

Refería Meaning, Conjugation & Usage | Imperfect Tense | InkLingo

Save words with our smart SRS, track your progress, and access the full library in the Inklingo app.

Take Your Learning to the Next Level

No boring lessons. Just beautiful stories you can actually understand. Try free for 7 days.

Start Reading Spanish Today

Move beyond Duolingo with illustrated stories designed for your level. Start reading from day one.

Ready to Read Real Spanish?

Read illustrated stories at your level. Tap to translate. Track your progress. Try free for 7 days.

Learn Spanish Through Stories

200+ illustrated Spanish stories from A1 to Advanced. Tap any word for instant translation.

Practice Reading with Real Stories

200+ illustrated stories from beginner to advanced. Tap any word to translate. Track your progress.

Learn Spanish the fun way

You hit your target for today

Daily Goal Complete!

200+ illustrated stories with tap-to-translate, word-by-word audio & progress tracking. Free to download.

Save words, track mastery, and pick up where you left off — free account, no card needed.

Check your inbox!

Frequently Asked Questions

Save the pair to your collection — spaced-repetition review brings them back so you stop confusing them.

Stop mixing «{word}» and «{wordB}» up

Save it to your collection — spaced-repetition review brings it back at the perfect moment so the verb stops escaping you.

Don't let «{word}» slip mid-sentence

Save it and we'll quiz you at the perfect moment so it actually sticks. Free, 1-tap signup.

Don't lose «{word}» by tomorrow

Sign up free to save Spanish words that put this lesson into practice — spaced-repetition review brings them back at the perfect moment so the rule becomes automatic.

Make the rules stick by using them

Save «{word}» to your collection — spaced-repetition review brings it back at the perfect moment so it sticks.

Don't lose this insight

Save it to your collection — spaced-repetition review brings it back at the perfect moment so it's ready when you actually need it.

Don't lose «{word}» before your trip

Save it to your collection — spaced-repetition review brings it back so both the language and the idea stay with you.

Don't let this quote slip away

Save «{word}» to your collection — spaced-repetition review brings it back so the rhythm gets cleaner each pass.

Lock in this trabalenguas

Save the Spanish word you just looked up — we'll quiz you tomorrow so the time you spent here actually pays off.

Remember «{word}» forever

Keep going — every word brings you closer to fluency.

You reached a new level

Level Up!

Sign in with 1 click to save words and build your personal vocabulary

Save Your Progress

Page Not Found | Inklingo

Try one of these

The page you're looking for moved or doesn't exist. Here are some good places to continue.

We couldn't find that page

Take 30 seconds to set up your daily practice.

Take 30 seconds to set up your daily Spanish practice — it's the heart of how Inklingo works.

Your account is ready

Every word you save lives here. Tap My Words anytime to see your collection.

My Words

Daily review locks them in. Free accounts get {limit} reviews per day; Pro is unlimited.

Daily review

Browse high-frequency Spanish words. Swipe right if you know it, left to learn it.

Swipe to discover

Pick a target you can hit consistently. You can change it anytime.

Set your daily goal

Upgrade to Pro to keep growing your collection. Your {limit} saved words and practice progress stay yours, always.

You've saved {limit} words on the free plan

200+ illustrated & narrated stories at every level. Tap any word to translate. Your brain acquires language through stories — not drills. Free.

The fun way to learn Spanish

Get Inklingo on iOS and Android. Pick up right where you left off.

Your stories are waiting

You're in!

Welcome, {name}!

Quick Quiz!

Unlock Instant Translations

Unlock the full deck with Pro. Your progress on the first cards is saved.

{count, plural, one {Keep going — 1 more to go} other {Keep going — # more to go}}

Add these words to My Words. You can review and manage them anytime.

Save all of {theme}?

Master Spanish verb conjugation with complete tables for all tenses and moods, plus interactive practice exercises. Browse and search over {verbCount} verbs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish Conjugations

Explore full conjugations for {verbCount} Spanish verbs. Search by verb, translation, or filter by ending to find exactly what you need.

Spanish Verb Conjugator

Master Every Tense

A filterable list of {verbCount} Spanish verbs with full conjugation tables.

Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like ''{infinitive}'' used naturally — in the tenses you''re learning.

Master Spanish verbs in context

Complete {tenseDisplay} forms for the Spanish verb ''{infinitive}'' ({translation}), with examples, common mistakes, and usage guidance.

Conjugation tables are the start. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see ''{infinitive}'' in action across real sentences — and build the instinct that native speakers have.

Take {infinitive} from tables to real Spanish

Complete conjugation tables and interactive practice exercises.

Interactive conjugation exercises for the Spanish verb '{infinitive}'

Complete conjugation tables and interactive practice exercises for the Spanish verb '{infinitive}' ({translation}). Master all tenses and moods with our conjugation trainer.

The Spanish verb '{infinitive}' meaning '{translation}'.

Test your knowledge with interactive exercises

Verb conjugation is the backbone of Spanish communication. Every sentence you speak or write requires at least one conjugated verb, and getting it right determines whether you sound fluent or confused.

The good news: Spanish has clear patterns. Regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs follow predictable rules, and the 20 most common irregular verbs cover the vast majority of everyday conversation. Master those, and you''re already ahead of most learners.

Past, present, future, hypothetical — conjugations let you place actions exactly when they happened or might happen.

Wrong conjugations can change who did what. ''Hablé'' (I spoke) vs ''habló'' (he spoke) — one accent mark, completely different meaning.

DELE, AP Spanish, and university placement tests all heavily test conjugation accuracy. It''s the most testable skill in Spanish.

When conjugation becomes automatic, you stop translating in your head and start thinking directly in Spanish. That''s true fluency.

Spanish has 14 major verb tenses across 3 moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative), but just 3 tenses — present, preterite, and imperfect — account for over 80% of verbs used in everyday speech. Focus there first.

Why Mastering Conjugations Is Essential

Go beyond simple translations with multiple example sentences for each word, showing you how to use vocabulary naturally in real conversations.

💬 Context is Key

Every core word is paired with a unique image to create strong memory links, helping you learn faster and recall vocabulary more effectively.

🎨 Learn Visually

Listen to crystal-clear audio from native speakers for every entry, ensuring you build an authentic Spanish accent from day one.

🔊 Master Pronunciation

Words are organized by CEFR level (A1-C2), so you can focus on the most relevant vocabulary for your proficiency and study goals.

📈 Structured for Learners

Your ultimate guide to Spanish vocabulary. Explore {totalWordCount} words with images, native audio, contextual examples, and CEFR levels designed for learners.

Browse {totalWords} Spanish words organized by grammatical category. Each category includes detailed explanations, CEFR levels, translations, and usage examples.

Browse Spanish words by grammatical category. Explore {totalWords} words organized by parts of speech with translations and examples.

Comprehensive guide to Spanish {pluralPosLower}. Learn grammar rules, usage patterns, and explore {wordCount} {pluralPosLower} with translations and examples.

Explore our complete collection of Spanish {pluralPosLower}, organized by CEFR proficiency level. Click any word to see detailed definitions, usage examples, and pronunciation guides.

Explore these {pluralPosLower} with images and audio pronunciation from our visual dictionary.

Search and browse {wordCount} Spanish words with English translations, images, audio, and CEFR levels. An essential tool for Spanish learners.

❌ Common Pitfalls

🔄 Conjugations

🧠 Deeper Learning

📝 In Action

Quick Quiz:

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

💡 Master Spanish

Words that Rhyme with {word}

Word Family

Words that translate to "{word}" in Spanish:

Translate to Spanish

Practice the pronunciation of this word with these Spanish tongue twisters.

{word} - Spanish Dictionary

Select a letter to see a complete list of all Spanish words in our dictionary that begin with it.

Browse {wordCount} Spanish {wordPlural} that {startVerb} with the letter {letter}, organized by part of speech.

Browse {wordCount} Spanish words that start with the letter {letter}. Complete with translations, definitions, and examples.

refería

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations

Take refería from tables to real Spanish