mostró
/mohs-TROH/
showed
The child mostró (showed) the bright red apple they found.
mostró(verb)
showed
?past action of displaying something physical
,displayed
?exhibited
pointed out
?indicated
📝 In Action
El camarero nos **mostró** la mesa junto a la ventana.
A2The waiter **showed** us the table next to the window.
Mi hermana **mostró** sus fotos de viaje a toda la familia.
A2My sister **showed** her travel photos to the whole family.
Usted **mostró** gran habilidad para resolver el problema.
B1You (formal) **showed** great ability to solve the problem.
💡 Grammar Points
The Simple Past (Preterite)
Mostró is the simple past tense (preterite) for 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or 'you' (formal). It describes a single, completed action in the past, like 'He showed me the house yesterday.'
No Stem Change in Past Tense
Although the verb 'mostrar' changes its 'o' to 'ue' in the present tense (muestro), it is completely regular in the simple past tense (mostré, mostraste, mostró, etc.).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Past Tenses
Mistake: "Using 'mostraba' (imperfect) instead of 'mostró' (preterite) for a single completed action."
Correction: 'Mostró' is for a specific, finished moment ('He showed the ticket'). 'Mostraba' is for ongoing or habitual past actions ('He used to show his tickets').
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Reflexive Pronouns
When used with 'se' (se mostró), it means 'He/She/It revealed himself/herself' or 'He/She appeared' (e.g., 'Se mostró calmado' - He appeared calm).
The bear mostró (demonstrated) its incredible strength by lifting the heavy boulder.
mostró(verb)
demonstrated
?proved a quality or point
,revealed
?made known or apparent
evidenced
?provided proof
📝 In Action
El informe **mostró** que las ventas habían caído un 10%.
B1The report **demonstrated** that sales had fallen 10%.
El acusado nunca **mostró** arrepentimiento por sus acciones.
B2The accused never **showed** (or **revealed**) regret for his actions.
💡 Grammar Points
Showing Abstract Ideas
'Mostró' is often used with abstract nouns like 'interés' (interest), 'duda' (doubt), or 'fuerza' (strength) to describe the moment those qualities became evident.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mostró
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'mostró' to describe a single, completed action in the past?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If 'mostrar' means 'to show,' how do I say 'He showed himself' or 'She appeared'?
You need to add 'se' before the verb: 'Se mostró.' For example, 'Él se mostró muy feliz' means 'He appeared/showed himself to be very happy.' This often refers to revealing a state or emotion.
What is the difference between 'mostró' and 'enseñó'?
Both mean 'showed.' 'Mostró' is generally used for displaying objects or feelings. 'Enseñó' is often preferred when the action involves teaching or instruction ('She taught/showed me how to cook').