zarpar Imperfect Conjugation
zarpar — to set sail
The imperfect of zarpar (zarpaba, zarpabas, zarpaba, zarpábamos, zarpabais, zarpaban) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of setting sail.
zarpar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect for ongoing actions in the past, like describing a ship that was in the process of setting sail, or for habitual actions, like a captain who always set sail at sunrise.
Notes on zarpar in the Imperfect
Zarpar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms follow the standard -ar verb endings.
Example Sentences
El barco zarpa cuando la niebla se levantó.
The ship was setting sail when the fog lifted.
él/ella/usted
Yo zarpaba temprano todos los días.
I used to set sail early every day.
yo
Mientras ellos zarpaban, nosotros preparábamos el equipaje.
While they were setting sail, we were preparing the luggage.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Tú zarpabas con la marea baja.
You used to set sail at low tide.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'zarpó' for an ongoing action or background description in the past.
Correct: Use the imperfect 'zarpaba' for ongoing actions: 'El barco zarpaba mientras llovía'.
Why: The imperfect describes actions in progress or setting the scene, whereas the preterite describes completed actions.
Mistake: Confusing the nosotros form 'zarpábamos' with the preterite 'zarpamos'.
Correct: The imperfect is 'zarpábamos' (with accent on the first 'a'), the preterite is 'zarpamos'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, while the preterite describes completed actions.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: zarpo
The present indicative of zarpar (zarpo, zarpas, zarpa, zarpamos, zarpáis, zarpan) describes actions happening now or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: zarpé
The preterite of zarpar is regular: zarpé, zarpaste, zarpó, zarpamos, zarpasteis, zarparon, indicating completed past actions.
Future
yo: zarparé
The future tense of zarpar (zarparé, zarparás, zarpará, zarparémos, zarparéis, zarparán) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: zarparía
The conditional of zarpar (zarparía, zarparías, zarparía, zarparíamos, zarparíais, zarparían) is used for hypotheticals ('would set sail') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: zarpe
The present subjunctive of zarpar (zarpe, zarpes, zarpe, zarpemos, zarpéis, zarpen) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: zarpara
The imperfect subjunctive of zarpar (zarpase, zarpases, zarpase, zarpásemos, zarpaseis, zarparan) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: zarpa
Imperative commands for zarpar are: zarpa (tú), zarpe (usted), zarpemos (nosotros), zarpen (ustedes), zarpad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no zarpes
Negative commands for zarpar use the present subjunctive: no zarpes (tú), no zarpe (usted), no zarpemos (nosotros), no zarpen (ustedes), no zarpéis (vosotros).