inventó
/een-vehn-TOH/
invented
When someone inventó (invented) something, they created something new.
📝 In Action
Thomas Edison inventó la bombilla eléctrica.
A2Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb.
Ella inventó un sistema para reciclar el agua de lluvia.
B1She invented a system for recycling rainwater.
Usted inventó el mejor postre que he probado.
B1You (formal) invented the best dessert I have ever tasted.
💡 Grammar Points
Past Action (Preterite Tense)
The form 'inventó' tells you that the action of inventing started and finished completely at a specific point in the past. It’s a single, completed event.
⭐ Usage Tips
Who Invented?
'Inventó' can mean 'he invented,' 'she invented,' or 'you (formal) invented.' The context or the subject before the verb tells you who did the action.
If someone inventó (made up) a story, they fabricated an excuse or a lie.
📝 In Action
Mi hermano inventó una excusa terrible para llegar tarde.
B1My brother made up a terrible excuse to be late.
¿Quién inventó ese rumor tan ridículo?
B2Who made up that ridiculous rumor?
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
The verb 'inventar' is often used figuratively in Spanish, similar to how we say 'make up' or 'cook up' a story in English.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: inventó
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'inventó' in the figurative sense (to make up a lie)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'inventó' different from 'inventaba'?
'Inventó' (Preterite) is used for a single action that finished completely in the past, like 'He invented the device yesterday.' 'Inventaba' (Imperfect) describes repeated actions or background actions, like 'He used to invent things every weekend' or 'He was inventing when the phone rang.'