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"Pretérito indefinido" is a noun which is often translated as "simple past", and "imperfecto" is an adjective which is often translated as "imperfect". Learn more about the difference between "pretérito indefinido" and "imperfecto" below.
el pretérito indefinido(
preh
-
teh
-
ree
-
toh
 
een
-
deh
-
fee
-
nee
-
doh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. simple past
El pretérito indefinido se usa para expresar acciones acabadas en el pasado.The simple past is used to express actions completed in the past.
b. preterite
"Fui" es la primera persona del pretérito indefinido de los verbos "ir" y "ser"."Fui" is the first person of the preterite of the verbs "ir" and "ser."
c. past tense
El ejercicio consiste en poner estos infinitivos en pretérito indefinido.The exercise involves putting these infinitives in the past tense.
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imperfecto(
eem
-
pehr
-
fehk
-
toh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. imperfect
El sistema electoral es imperfecto y por eso ocurren injusticias.The electoral system is imperfect and so injustices happen.
b. flawed
La portada ha quedado imperfecta y hay que volver a imprimirla.The cover is flawed so we have to print it out again.
a. imperfect
Solo hay dos conjuntos de terminaciones para las formas imperfectas regulares.In Spanish there are only two sets of endings for regular imperfect forms.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
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.
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