Using the imperfect tense in Spanish to "describe" a situation in the past

Learn how to use  El Pretérito Imperfecto in Spanish for descriptions in the past

We use El Pretérito Imperfecto to describe situations in the past, i.e to explain what "was happening". Some of these situations are:

  • Talking about what the weather was like
  • Talking about who one was with
  • Describing qualities
  • Talking about age
  • To say what the time was
  • To describe a situation/setting

Read and listen to these examples:

En los años sesenta había muchos hippies.In the sixties there were many hippies.

El hotel tenía muy buenas instalaciones.The hotel had very good facilities.

En Madrid hacía sol y calor.It was sunny and hot in Madrid.

El paisaje en el campo era muy bonito.The landscape in the countryside was very beautiful.

Ella tenía el pelo rubio y rizado.She had blond curly hair.

Los niños jugaban en los columpios.The children were playing on the swings.

Eran las tres de la tarde.It was three in the afternoon.

Luis estaba con su novia en el bar.Luis was with his girlfriend at the bar.

See also El Pretérito Imperfecto

Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics

Examples and resources

El paisaje en el campo era muy bonito.The landscape in the countryside was very beautiful.
Eran las tres de la tarde.It was three in the afternoon.
Luis estaba con su novia en el bar.Luis was with his girlfriend at the bar.
Los niños jugaban en los columpios.The children were playing on the swings.
Ella tenía el pelo rubio y rizado.She had blond curly hair.
En los años sesenta había muchos hippies.In the sixties there were many hippies.
El hotel tenía muy buenas instalaciones.The hotel had very good facilities.
En Madrid hacía sol y calor.It was sunny and hot in Madrid.
Getting that for you now...