Learn estafar conjugation in Pretérito Perfecto Simple step by step with detailed explanations

Image of estafar conjugation in Pretérito Perfecto Simple

estafar means: to bilk, to cheat, to defraud, to diddle, to rook, to swindle, to trick

In this lesson we will see how to conjugate the verb estafar in the Pretérito Perfecto Simple tense of the Indicativo mood. It means we will see step by step how to create the following conjugation:

yo	estafé	I bilked
tú	estafaste	you bilked
él/ella/usted	estafó	he/she/it bilked
nosotros/nosotras	estafamos	we bilked
vosotros/vosotras	estafasteis	you bilked
ellos/ellas/ustedes	estafaron	they bilked

This lesson is specifically about the estafar verb conjugation. For a general overview of Simple Tenses conjugation see our Simple Tenses Conjugation Chart.

You may also see the Video Presentation on how to conjugate verbs in Pretérito Perfecto Simple. It’s embedded on the right, but using the above link you may see more detailed information on conjugation in this tense as well as explanation of exceptions and special cases.

How to translate Pretérito Perfecto Simple to English

Notice that the English phrases in the third column of the above conjugation table are not direct translations from Spanish to English. They are usually the closest general equivalents. The example differences are:

In Spanish, there is the form usted in the third person singular. But this person does not translate to the English third person singular. It translates to the so called formal you and uses the inflected form which is most often represented as he/she/it in English conjugation charts.
Similar situation happens in the third person plural, where ustedes translates to the English plural formal you but uses the form which corresponds to the they form in English.
Tenses are used differently in Spanish and English, so the actual translation should always take into account the context and focus on translating the meaning, not just words.
In both languages each verb may have multiple meanings and not every meaning translates directly to the other language. Here also, the context and focusing on the particular meaning helps to create the most accurate translation.

Note the timeline

The ability to properly locate the desired position on the timeline is a crucial skill for proper use of tenses. So note the timeline in our lessons and visualize it while listening, speaking, reading or writing. After a bit practice you will be capable of selecting the right tense to use much easier. timeline preterito perfecto simple how to conjugate spanish verbs

timeline preterito perfecto simple how to conjugate spanish verbs

Step by step instructions

Pretérito Perfecto Simple belongs to the simple tenses group, which means that all of the inflected forms are one word long. There are also compound (compuesto) tenses in Spanish language, where each conjugated verb form consists of two words.

The verb estafar has an entirely regular conjugation in the Pretérito Perfecto Simple tense of the Indicativo mood. It means that this verb follows the basic rules for its group (-ar) without exceptions.

The basis for this conjugation is the stem of the verb, so we have to start by splitting the infinitive into a stem and an ending. It’s really easy to do. Just remove two letters from the end of the infinitive form to get the ending — one of -ar, -er or -ir. What’s left is the stem.

So in case of the verb estafar it’s easy to see that:

the stem is: estaf-
and the ending is: -ar

Use the stem estaf- in each subject as the basis for conjugations, the common prefix that each of the forms begins with.

endings preterito perfecto simple ar how to conjugate spanish verbs

Next, add to this regular stem the endings specific to each person. Check out the image showing all the endings. Note both the colors and shapes of the letters. It will help you find patterns and make it easier to remember these endings.

Each grammatical person has a specific ending in each of the three conjugation groups -ar, -er, -ir.

Add the regular ending -é for the first person singular to create estafé:

yo estafé

And one more time add the regular ending -aste for the second person singular to create estafaste:

tú estafaste

Again add the regular ending -ó for the third person singular to create estafó:

él estafó
ella estafó
usted estafó

And once more add the regular ending -amos for the first person plural to create estafamos:

nosotros estafamos
nosotras estafamos

And one more time add the regular ending -asteis for the second person plural to create estafasteis:

vosotros estafasteis
vosotras estafasteis

And exactly as previously add the regular ending -aron for the third person plural to create estafaron:

ellos estafaron
ellas estafaron
ustedes estafaron

This is it! The conjugation is now complete. But don’t end your session yet – it is very important to repeat and practice the material in order to remember it. Check below for suggestions.

Next Steps

To practice this conjugation and test yourself check this Conjugation Exercise or the Memory Game
To see other conjugation lessons for this verb choose another tense:
For exercises and examples related to estafar visit our Exercise section
To see conjugation charts in all tenses for estafar visit the Conjugator
To explore other learning materials visit the Study section