retar Imperfect Conjugation
retar — to challenge
The imperfect of retar (retaba, retabas, retaba, retábamos, retabais, retaban) describes past challenges that were ongoing or habitual.
retar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'retar' to describe a past situation where someone was regularly issuing challenges, or a challenge that was in progress without a defined end. It sets the scene.
Notes on retar in the Imperfect
'Retar' is a regular -ar verb, and its imperfect conjugations follow the standard pattern.
Example Sentences
Cuando éramos niños, mi amigo me retaba a hacer travesuras.
When we were kids, my friend used to challenge me to do mischief.
él/ella/usted
Tú siempre me retabas a ver quién comía más rápido.
You always used to challenge me to see who could eat faster.
tú
Él retaba a todos en el gimnasio a levantar más peso.
He used to challenge everyone at the gym to lift more weight.
él/ella/usted
Los hermanos se retaban constantemente a juegos.
The brothers were constantly challenging each other to games.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite for habitual past actions.
Correct: Say 'Me retaba cada día' (He challenged me every day), not 'Me retó cada día'.
Why: The imperfect describes repeated or ongoing actions in the past, while the preterite describes single, completed events.
Mistake: Confusing 'retaba' (yo/él/ella/usted) with 'retabas' (tú).
Correct: Remember 'Yo retaba' and 'Tú retabas'.
Why: These are distinct conjugations, with the 'tú' form ending in -s.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: reto
The present tense of retar (reto, retas, reta, retamos, retáis, retan) means to challenge now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: reté
The preterite of retar is regular: reté, retaste, retó, retamos, retasteis, retaron.
Future
yo: retaré
The future tense of retar (retaré, retarás, retará, retaremos, retaréis, retarán) indicates future challenges.
Conditional
yo: retaría
The conditional of retar (retaría, retarías, retaría, retaríamos, retaríais, retarían) suggests hypothetical challenges ('would challenge').
Present Subjunctive
yo: rete
The present subjunctive of retar (rete, retes, retemos, retéis, reten) follows expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: retara
The imperfect subjunctive of retar (retara, retaras, retáramos, retarais, retaran) expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: reta
Use the imperative of retar for direct commands: reta, rete, retemos, retad, reten.
Negative Imperative
yo: no retes
Negative commands for retar use the present subjunctive: no retes, no rete, no retemos, no retéis, no reten.