usé
oo-SAY
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Yo usé tu bolígrafo sin preguntar, lo siento.
A1I used your pen without asking, I'm sorry.
Para el viaje, usé la mochila más grande.
A2For the trip, I used the biggest backpack.
El mes pasado, usé todos mis días de vacaciones.
B1Last month, I used all my vacation days.
💡 Grammar Points
The Simple Past (Preterite)
This form ('usé') is the simple past tense. You use it for actions that started and finished completely at a specific point in time, like 'I used it yesterday.'
The Essential Accent Mark
The accent on the 'é' is vital! It changes the meaning from the present tense ('yo uso' - I use) to the past tense ('yo usé' - I used).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Past Tenses
Mistake: "Using 'usaba' when you mean a single, completed action."
Correction: Use 'usé' for a single event ('I used the key once'). Use 'usaba' only for ongoing or habitual past actions ('I used to use that key often').
⭐ Usage Tips
Using vs. Wearing
Remember that usar is the standard verb for 'to wear' in Spanish. So, 'Usé un sombrero' means 'I wore a hat,' not necessarily 'I used a hat as a tool.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: usé
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'usé' to describe a single, finished action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'usé' have an accent mark?
The accent mark on the 'e' is necessary to show that the stress falls on the last syllable, which is a key feature of the 'yo' form (I) in the simple past tense for most regular verbs.
When should I use 'usé' versus 'he usado'?
Use 'usé' (simple past) when the action happened and finished at a definite time in the past (e.g., 'I used it yesterday'). Use 'he usado' (present perfect) when the action happened recently or its effects are still relevant now (e.g., 'I have used it many times').