ví
/vee/
I saw
Visualizing the direct past tense act of perception: 'I saw'.
ví(verb)
I saw
?Perceiving with the eyes (simple past)
,I watched
?Observing an event or show
I noticed
?Gaining awareness visually
📝 In Action
Ayer ví una película muy divertida.
A1Yesterday I saw a very funny movie.
¿Quién ví en el parque? ¡Era tu hermano!
A2Who did I see in the park? It was your brother!
Cuando llegué, ví que la puerta estaba abierta.
A2When I arrived, I saw that the door was open.
💡 Grammar Points
Simple Past (Preterite) Action
Use 'ví' when talking about a specific action of seeing that was completed and finished at a definite point in the past.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong past tense
Mistake: "Usar 'veía' (I used to see/I was seeing) for a single completed action."
Correction: Use 'ví' for the single, finished action (e.g., 'ví el coche rojo' – I saw the red car).
⭐ Usage Tips
Accent Mark is Key
The accent mark on 'ví' is essential! It tells you this is the 'I' form of the simple past, distinguishing it from other similar words.
Illustrating the realization of a concept: 'I understood'.
ví(verb)
I understood
?To grasp a concept
,I realized
?To become aware of a fact
I figured out
?Finding a solution
📝 In Action
Después de su explicación, por fin ví el problema.
B1After his explanation, I finally saw (understood) the problem.
Ví claramente que no quería ayudarme.
B2I clearly saw (realized) that he didn't want to help me.
💡 Grammar Points
Mental Actions
When 'ver' is used for mental realization, the simple past ('ví') emphasizes the moment the understanding clicked into place.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ví
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'ví' to describe a single, completed action in the past?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always write 'ví' with an accent mark?
Historically, yes, the accent mark on 'ví' and 'dio' (from dar) was mandatory to show stress. However, the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) now permits omitting the accent mark ('vi') because it is a single syllable word and there is no risk of confusion with another word. Both 'ví' and 'vi' are generally accepted, but using the accent is a clear way to show the simple past tense.
What is the difference between 'ví' and 'veía'?
'Ví' is the simple past (preterite) and is used for a single, completed action ('I saw the dog'). 'Veía' is the imperfect past and describes ongoing actions, habits, or descriptions in the past ('I used to see the dog' or 'I was seeing the dog').