usaba
/oo-SAH-bah/
I used to use
Usaba: This child used to use this magnifying glass often to explore the world.
usaba(verb)
I used to use
?past habit
,he/she/it was using
?ongoing action in the past
,you (formal) used
?past description
I utilized
?formal synonym
📝 In Action
Yo usaba esa bicicleta todos los días para ir al trabajo.
A1I used to use that bicycle every day to go to work.
Ella usaba una computadora muy vieja cuando la conocí.
A2She was using a very old computer when I met her.
Usted usaba el cajón de la izquierda para guardar los documentos.
B1You (formal) used the left drawer to keep the documents.
💡 Grammar Points
The Imperfect (Habitual Past)
"Usaba" is the imperfect past tense. It tells you about actions that happened repeatedly or continuously in the past, like a habit or a background setting.
Who is 'Usaba'?
This single form, 'usaba,' can mean 'I used to use' (yo), 'he used to use' (él), 'she used to use' (ella), or 'you formal used to use' (usted). Context is key to knowing who is doing the action!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Imperfect vs. Preterite
Mistake: "When talking about a single, completed action in the past, learners sometimes say 'Yo usaba el coche ayer.'"
Correction: Use the preterite: 'Yo usé el coche ayer' (I used the car yesterday). 'Usaba' is for habits or descriptions, not single events.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Childhood
The imperfect ('usaba') is perfect for describing how things were in the past: 'De niño, yo usaba patines' (As a child, I used to wear/use skates).
Usaba: She used to wear those red boots every time it rained.
usaba(verb)
I used to wear
?clothing or accessories (past habit)
,he/she was wearing
?description of appearance in the past
I was accustomed to wearing
?past custom
📝 In Action
Mi abuela siempre usaba un pañuelo de seda en la cabeza.
A2My grandmother always wore a silk scarf on her head.
Él usaba gafas, pero ahora usa lentes de contacto.
B1He used to wear glasses, but now he wears contact lenses.
💡 Grammar Points
Wearing vs. Putting On
'Usaba' describes the state of wearing something (a continuous action or habit). If you want to say someone 'put on' an item (a single, completed action), you would use the preterite: 'se puso' (he put on).
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Llevar'
In many Spanish-speaking regions, the verb 'llevar' (to carry) is also very commonly used, and sometimes preferred, to mean 'to wear.' Both 'llevaba' and 'usaba' are correct for past habits.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: usaba
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'usaba' to describe a past habit?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'usaba' mean 'I used to' or 'he/she used to'?
It can mean either! 'Usaba' is the imperfect form for 'yo' (I), 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), and 'usted' (you formal). You must look at the subject of the sentence to know who is doing the action.
How is 'usaba' different from 'usé'?
'Usaba' (imperfect) describes actions that were ongoing, repeated, or habitual in the past (e.g., 'I used to use'). 'Usé' (preterite) describes a single action that was completed at a specific point in the past (e.g., 'I used [it] once').