vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Pretérito imperfecto" is a noun which is often translated as "imperfect past tense", and "pretérito indefinido" is a noun which is often translated as "simple past". Learn more about the difference between "pretérito imperfecto" and "pretérito indefinido" below.
el pretérito imperfecto(
preh
-
teh
-
ree
-
toh
 
eem
-
pehr
-
fehk
-
toh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. imperfect past tense
El pretérito imperfecto del español puede resultarles un poco difícil a los angloparlantes.The imperfect past tense in Spanish may be a little tricky for English speakers.
b. imperfect tense
¿Usarías el pretérito imperfecto en esta oración o el perfecto?Would you use the imperfect tense or the preterite in this sentence?
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
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.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.