Inklingo
A small green tortoise is slowly crawling across a grassy field toward a red flag marking a finish line, emphasizing the duration required for the journey.

tardar Preterite Conjugation

tardarto take time

A1regular -ar★★★★★
Quick answer:

The preterite of tardar is regular: tardé, tardaste, tardó, tardamos, tardasteis, tardaron.

tardar Preterite Forms

yotardé
tardaste
él/ella/ustedtardó
nosotrostardamos
vosotrostardasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedestardaron

When to Use the Preterite

Use the preterite to state exactly how long a specific, completed action took in the past.

Notes on tardar in the Preterite

Tardar is regular in the preterite. Note that 'tardamos' is the same in both present and preterite.

Example Sentences

  • Tardé tres horas en terminar los deberes.

    I took three hours to finish the homework.

    yo

  • ¿Cuánto tardaste en llegar a casa?

    How long did it take you to get home?

  • La película tardó mucho en empezar.

    The movie took a long time to start.

    él/ella/usted

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: tardo

    Correct: tardó

    Why: Without the accent, 'tardo' is the present tense 'I take'. 'Tardó' with the accent is the past tense 'he/she/it took'.

Master Spanish verbs in context

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