What is the difference between the preterite and the imperfect tense in Spanish?

The preterite is used to explain something in the past which has a definite beginning and ending such as ‘Ayer, fui a la playa’ meaning yesterday I went to the beach. The time phrase indicates that the action enclosed within a specific date. The imperfect is used to describe a continuous action in the past such as ‘cuando era joven, jugaba fútbol’ meaning when I was younger I played football. This is a continuous action that doesn’t have a specific beginning or end.

RN
Answered by Riona N. Spanish tutor

1558 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How is the perfect tense formed?


What is the difference between ser and estar?


How do I form the perfect tense?


Why does Spanish often drop subject pronouns and English doesn't?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning