zarpar Preterite Conjugation
zarpar — to set sail
The preterite of zarpar is regular: zarpé, zarpaste, zarpó, zarpamos, zarpasteis, zarparon, indicating completed past actions.
zarpar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for actions like setting sail that were completed at a specific point in the past. It marks the beginning or end of the action.
Notes on zarpar in the Preterite
Zarpar is completely regular in the preterite tense. All forms follow the standard -ar verb endings.
Example Sentences
Zarpé del puerto a las cinco de la mañana.
I set sail from the port at five in the morning.
yo
¿Zarpasteis ayer?
Did you all set sail yesterday?
vosotros
La flota zarpó hacia el oeste.
The fleet set sail towards the west.
él/ella/usted
Zarpamos juntos bajo la luna.
We set sail together under the moon.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect 'zarpaba' instead of the preterite 'zarpa' for a single, completed departure.
Correct: Use 'Zarpé' for a specific departure: 'Ayer zarpé'.
Why: The preterite marks a single, completed event, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'zarpó' (él/ella/usted form).
Correct: The correct form is 'zarpó' with an accent on the 'o'.
Why: The accent on 'ó' indicates that the stress falls on the final syllable, distinguishing it from other potential forms.
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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.
Imperfect
yo: zarpaba
The imperfect of zarpar (zarpaba, zarpabas, zarpaba, zarpábamos, zarpabais, zarpaban) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of setting sail.
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).