Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Look How Far in Spanish
Reflecting on your child's growth involves describing both specific milestones and the comforting routines you shared. In Spanish, we use different past tenses to distinguish between one-time events and habits.
What you'll learn
- Differentiate between single past events and repeated past habits.
- Learn to use 'cuando' with the Preterite for specific milestones.
- Learn to use 'cuando' or 'siempre que' with the Imperfect for routines.
- Expand vocabulary related to childhood milestones and routines.
Spanish phrases for look how far
Cuando empezaste el colegio, entré contigo al aula.
When you started school, I walked into the classroom with you.
Uses Preterite for two specific, completed actions in the past.
Cuando te sentías nervioso antes del colegio, te daba la mano.
Whenever you felt nervous before school, I held your hand.
'Cuando' here implies 'whenever' and uses the Imperfect for a repeated state and action.
Cuando se te cayó el primer diente, nos sacamos una foto.
When you lost your first tooth, we took a photo.
Uses the Preterite for a unique, specific moment.
Siempre que tenías un diente flojo, te lo mirabas en el espejo.
Whenever a tooth was loose, you checked it in the mirror.
'Siempre que' is a great way to translate 'whenever' for past habits.
Cuando tenías seis años, leíamos aquel libro de animales todas las noches.
When you were six, we read that animal book every evening.
The Imperfect describes an ongoing age and a routine activity.
Cada vez que terminábamos un capítulo, pedías otro.
Whenever we finished a chapter, you asked for another one.
'Cada vez que' emphasizes the repetition of the action in the past.
Cuando te apuntaste al club de deportes, me quedé a la primera sesión.
When you joined the sports club, I stayed for the first session.
Preterite is used for specific acts of joining and staying.
Siempre que volvías del entrenamiento, me hablabas de los partidos.
Whenever you came home from practice, you told me about the games.
Imperfect highlights the recurring nature of the homecoming and storytelling.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
colegio / escuela
school
'Colegio' is very common in Spain; 'Escuela' is widely used across Latin America.
diente flojo
loose tooth
'Flojo' means loose or slack.
apuntarse
to sign up / to join
A reflexive verb often used for joining clubs or classes.
entrenamiento
practice / training session
Commonly used for sports activities.
Specific Event vs. Habitual Action
While English often uses 'when' for both specific and repeated actions, Spanish relies on verb tenses to clarify the frequency. Use the Preterite for a single moment (e.g., 'started school') and the Imperfect for routines (e.g., 'felt nervous every day').
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Specific (Preterite) | Cuando + Pretérito Indefinido | Cuando llegaste (When you arrived). |
| Repeated (Imperfect) | Cuando/Siempre que + Imperfecto | Cuando jugábamos (When we used to play). |
More examples
Cuando eras pequeño, no te gustaba el brócoli.
When you were little, you didn't like broccoli.
Focuses on a past state/habit.
Cuando cumpliste cinco años, fuimos al parque de atracciones.
When you turned five, we went to the amusement park.
Focuses on a specific one-time event.