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Learn hablar conjugation in Pretérito

hablar means: to speak, to talk, to discuss, to converse, to call
Click to see all conjugation charts of hablar in every tense

In this conjugation lesson we are going to learn how to inflect the verb hablar in the Pretérito tense of the Indicativo mood. It means we will see step by step how to create and translate forms of each grammatical person.

This lesson is specifically about the hablar verb conjugation. For a general overview of all the Simple Tenses conjugation have a look at the Simple Tenses Conjugation Chart.

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

How to translate Pretérito to English

Notice that the phrases in English provided below next to each conjugation are not direct translations from Spanish to English. They are usually the closest general equivalents. The example differences are:
  • In Spanish conjugation, 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.

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Note the timeline

The ability to correctly locate the intended position on the timeline is an important skill for the right choice of tenses. So pay attention to the timeline in our lessons and visualize it while speaking, listening, writing and reading. 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

Step by step instructions

Pretérito 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 hablar has a completely regular conjugation in the Pretérito tense of the Indicativo mood. It means that this verb just follows the general rules for its group (-ar) without exceptions.
The basis for the conjugation in this tense is the stem of the verb, so we need to begin by splitting the infinitive into a stem and an ending. It’s easy to do. Simply 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 our verb:
  • the stem is: habl-
  • and the ending is: -ar
Use the stem habl- in each subject as the basis for conjugation, the common prefix that each of the forms begins with.
Next, add to this regular stem the endings specific to each person. Analyze the image showing all six endings. Notice both the shapes and colors 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.
endings preterito perfecto simple ar how to conjugate spanish verbs
Add the regular ending for the first person singular to create hablé:
  • yo hablé – I spoke
Similarly add the regular ending -aste for the second person singular to create hablaste:
  • tú hablaste – you spoke
And again add the regular ending for the third person singular to create habló:
  • él habló – he spoke
  • ella habló – she spoke
  • usted habló – (formal) you spoke
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As before add the regular ending -amos for the first person plural to create hablamos:
  • nosotros hablamos – we spoke
  • nosotras hablamos – (feminine) we spoke
And add the regular ending -asteis for the second person plural to create hablasteis:
  • vosotros hablasteis – (plural) you spoke
  • vosotras hablasteis – (feminine, plural) you spoke
As before add the regular ending -aron for the third person plural to create hablaron:
  • ellos hablaron – they spoke
  • ellas hablaron – (feminine) they spoke
  • ustedes hablaron – (formal, plural) you spoke

This is it! The conjugation is now complete. Put together, the conjugation chart looks like this:

yohabléI spoke
hablasteyou spoke
él/ella/ustedhablóhe/she/it spoke
nosotros/nosotrashablamoswe spoke
vosotros/vosotrashablasteisyou spoke
ellos/ellas/ustedeshablaronthey spoke
Click to see all conjugation charts of hablar in every tense

But do not end your session yet – it’s important to repeat and practice the material in order to retain it. Check below for next steps.

Next Steps to Perfection

  • 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 hablar visit our Exercise section
  • To see conjugation charts in all tenses for hablar visit the Conjugator
  • To explore other learning materials visit the Study section

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