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"Imperfecto" is an adjective which is often translated as "imperfect", and "pretérito perfecto" is a noun which is often translated as "present perfect". Learn more about the difference between "imperfecto" and "pretérito perfecto" below.
imperfecto(
eem
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pehr
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fehk
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toh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
3. (grammar)
a. imperfect
El imperfecto de "comer" es "comía".The imperfect of the Spanish verb "comer" is "comía."
b. imperfect tense
El imperfecto se usa para hablar de acciones pasadas habituales.The imperfect tense is used to talk about habitual actions in the past.
el pretérito perfecto(
preh
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teh
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ree
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toh
pehr
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fehk
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toh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (grammar)
a. present perfect
El pretérito perfecto se forma con el presente del verbo "haber" y el participio del verbo conjugado; por ejemplo, "he oído" ("I've heard").The present perfect is formed with the present of the verb "haber" and the past participle of the conjugated verb, for instance "he oído" ("I've heard").
b. simple past
El pretérito perfecto simple indica que la acción expresada por el verbo acabó en un momento del pasado.The simple past indicates that the action expressed by the verb finished at a point in the past.