Spanish · B1 · Everyday language
Remember That Afternoon in Spanish
This guide focuses on the Pretérito Indefinido (Preterite tense) in Spanish, used to narrate specific, completed actions in the past. We will look at how to describe an ordinary afternoon using regular verb endings.
What you'll learn
- Identify and use the Pretérito Indefinido for finished past actions.
- Learn the regular conjugation patterns for -AR, -ER, and -IR verbs in the past.
- Vocabulary related to school, hobbies, and home routines.
Spanish phrases for remember that afternoon
Te esperé junto a la puerta del colegio.
I waited for you beside the school gate.
'Esperé' is the first-person singular past of 'esperar'.
Preparaste tu mochila sin ayuda.
You packed your school bag without any help.
'Preparar' is used here for packing or getting a bag ready.
Practicamos juntos tus nuevas palabras de lectura.
We practised your new reading words together.
'Practicamos' is the same in the present and preterite for -AR verbs.
Tu hermana pintó un dibujo para tu profesor.
Your sister painted a picture for your teacher.
'Pintó' uses the third-person singular ending -ó.
Tú y tu amigo jugaron en el jardín.
You and your friend played in the garden.
'Jugaron' is the third-person plural (they/you all) form.
Los niños recogieron hojas de camino a casa.
The children collected leaves on the way home.
'Recogieron' is the past tense of the -ER verb 'recoger'.
Trabajé en la mesa de la cocina mientras hacías los deberes.
I worked at the kitchen table during your homework time.
'Trabajé' reflects a completed period of work.
Buscamos tus botas de fútbol después de cenar.
We searched for your football boots after dinner.
'Buscamos' comes from 'buscar' (to look for).
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
school
Often used for primary or middle school.
mochila
backpack / school bag
A very common word for kids' bags.
hojas
leaves
The same word is used for sheets of paper.
deberes
homework
Commonly used in Spain; 'tarea' is more common in Latin America.
Regular Pretérito Indefinido (-AR Verbs)
To talk about the past, remove the -ar and add these endings. Note the accents on the 'yo' and 'él/ella' forms.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo (I) | -é | Trabajé (I worked) |
| Tú (You) | -aste | Trabajaste (You worked) |
| Él/Ella (He/She) | -ó | Trabajó (He/She worked) |
| Nosotros (We) | -amos | Trabajamos (We worked) |
| Ellos/Ustedes (They/You all) | -aron | Trabajaron (They worked) |
Regular Pretérito Indefinido (-ER and -IR Verbs)
Both -ER and -IR verbs share the same endings in the preterite tense.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo (I) | -í | Recogí (I collected) |
| Tú (You) | -iste | Recogiste (You collected) |
| Él/Ella (He/She) | -ió | Recogió (He/She collected) |
| Nosotros (We) | -imos | Recogimos (We collected) |
| Ellos/Ustedes (They/You all) | -ieron | Recogieron (They collected) |
More examples
Ayer, mamá preparó la cena temprano.
Yesterday, Mom prepared dinner early.
Uses the third-person singular -ó ending.
¿Buscaste las llaves en el salón?
Did you look for the keys in the living room?
A question using the 'tú' form.
Nosotros caminamos al parque.
We walked to the park.
Context tells us if this is present ('we walk') or past ('we walked').