Language/Catalan/Grammar/Past-tense-conjugation

Catalan → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Intermediate Catalan grammar → Past tense conjugation

Introduction

In this lesson, we will delve into the intricacies of past tense conjugation in Catalan. Understanding how to conjugate verbs in the preterite and imperfect tenses is crucial for expressing actions and events that happened in the past. We will also explore common irregular verbs and their conjugations. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use the past tense in your Catalan conversations.

Preterite Tense

The preterite tense, or "pretèrit indefinit" in Catalan, is used to describe completed actions or events in the past. To conjugate regular verbs in the preterite tense, we remove the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, or -ir) and add the corresponding endings. Let's take a look at the conjugation of regular verbs in the preterite tense:

Regular -ar verbs

To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the preterite tense, we use the following endings:

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
parlar	[pəɾˈlaɾ]	to speak
cantar	[kənˈtaɾ]	to sing
ballar	[baˈʎaɾ]	to dance

Example conjugation of the verb "parlar" (to speak):

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
jo parlí	[ʒu pəɾˈli]	I spoke
tu parlàs	[tu pəɾˈlas]	you spoke
ell/ella/vostè parlà	[əʎ/əʎə/βusˈte pəɾˈla]	he/she/you (formal) spoke
nosaltres parlàrem	[nuˈzaɫtɾəz pəɾˈlaɾəm]	we spoke
vosaltres parlàreu	[βuˈzaɫtɾəz pəɾˈlaɾəw]	you all spoke
ells/elles/vostès parlaran	[əʎz/əʎəs/βusˈtɛs pəɾˈlaɾən]	they/you all spoke

Regular -er and -ir verbs

To conjugate regular -er and -ir verbs in the preterite tense, we use the following endings:

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
beure	[bəˈweɾ]	to drink
escriure	[əsˈkɾi.wɾə]	to write
partir	[pəɾˈti]	to leave

Example conjugation of the verb "beure" (to drink):

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
jo beguí	[ʒu bəˈɡi]	I drank
tu begué	[tu bəˈɡe]	you drank
ell/ella/vostè begué	[əʎ/əʎə/βusˈte bəˈɡe]	he/she/you (formal) drank
nosaltres beguérem	[nuˈzaɫtɾəz bəˈɡeɾəm]	we drank
vosaltres beguéreu	[βuˈzaɫtɾəz bəˈɡeɾəw]	you all drank
ells/elles/vostès begueren	[əʎz/əʎəs/βusˈtɛs bəˈɡeɾən]	they/you all drank

Imperfect Tense

The imperfect tense, or "pretèrit imperfect" in Catalan, is used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past. It is also used to set the scene or provide background information. To conjugate regular verbs in the imperfect tense, we remove the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, or -ir) and add the corresponding endings. Let's take a look at the conjugation of regular verbs in the imperfect tense:

Regular -ar verbs

To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the imperfect tense, we use the following endings:

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
parlar	[pəɾˈlaɾ]	to speak
cantar	[kənˈtaɾ]	to sing
ballar	[baˈʎaɾ]	to dance

Example conjugation of the verb "parlar" (to speak):

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
jo parlava	[ʒu pəɾˈlaβə]	I used to speak
tu parlaves	[tu pəɾˈlaβəs]	you used to speak
ell/ella/vostè parlava	[əʎ/əʎə/βusˈte pəɾˈlaβə]	he/she/you (formal) used to speak
nosaltres parlàvem	[nuˈzaɫtɾəz pəɾˈlaβəm]	we used to speak
vosaltres parlàveu	[βuˈzaɫtɾəz pəɾˈlaβəw]	you all used to speak
ells/elles/vostès parlaven	[əʎz/əʎəs/βusˈtɛs pəɾˈlaβən]	they/you all used to speak

Regular -er and -ir verbs

To conjugate regular -er and -ir verbs in the imperfect tense, we use the following endings:

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
beure	[bəˈweɾ]	to drink
escriure	[əsˈkɾi.wɾə]	to write
partir	[pəɾˈti]	to leave

Example conjugation of the verb "beure" (to drink):

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
jo bevia	[ʒu bəˈβiə]	I used to drink
tu bevies	[tu bəˈβiəs]	you used to drink
ell/ella/vostè bevia	[əʎ/əʎə/βusˈte bəˈβiə]	he/she/you (formal) used to drink
nosaltres bevíem	[nuˈzaɫtɾəz bəˈβiəm]	we used to drink
vosaltres bevíeu	[βuˈzaɫtɾəz bəˈβiəw]	you all used to drink
ells/elles/vostès bevien	[əʎz/əʎəs/βusˈtɛs bəˈβiən]	they/you all used to drink

Cultural Section

In different regions of Catalonia, there may be slight variations in the usage or understanding of the past tense. For example, in some areas, the preterite tense is used more frequently to describe completed actions in the past, while in other areas, the imperfect tense is preferred for setting the scene or providing background information. These regional variations can add richness and diversity to the language.

An interesting cultural fact related to the past tense in Catalan is its connection to historical events. The preterite tense is often used when talking about significant historical events, such as the Spanish Civil War or the Catalan independence movement. By using the preterite tense, speakers can convey a sense of immediacy and highlight the importance of these events in shaping Catalan history and identity.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Complete the following exercises using the appropriate form of the verb in the past tense. Solutions and explanations will be provided after each exercise.

Exercise 1: Conjugate the following regular -ar verbs in the preterite tense:

1. Parlar (to speak) 2. Cantar (to sing) 3. Ballar (to dance)

Exercise 2: Conjugate the following regular -er and -ir verbs in the imperfect tense:

1. Beure (to drink) 2. Escriure (to write) 3. Partir (to leave)

Exercise 3: Translate the following sentences into Catalan using the appropriate form of the verb in the preterite or imperfect tense:

1. Last summer, we went to Barcelona and visited the Sagrada Familia. (preterite tense) 2. When I was young, I used to play soccer every day. (imperfect tense) 3. They sang a beautiful song at the concert last night. (preterite tense)

Solutions

Exercise 1:

1. Jo vaig parlar 2. Tu vas cantar 3. Ell/Ella/Vostè va ballar 4. Nosaltres vam parlar 5. Vosaltres vau cantar 6. Els/Elles/Vostès van ballar

Exercise 2:

1. Jo bevia 2. Tu bevies 3. Ell/Ella/Vostè bevia 4. Nosaltres bevíem 5. Vosaltres bevíeu 6. Els/Elles/Vostès bevien

Exercise 3:

1. L'estiu passat, vam anar a Barcelona i vam visitar la Sagrada Família. 2. Quan era jove, jugava a futbol cada dia. 3. Van cantar una cançó bonica al concert d'anit.

Congratulations on completing the exercises! You are now one step closer to mastering the past tense in Catalan.

Table of Contents - Catalan Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Catalan

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

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Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Articles and Nouns

• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Noun Gender and Plurals

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Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

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Adjectives and Pronouns

• Adjective Agreement
• Personal Pronouns

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Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

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Verbs and Tenses

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs

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Food and Dining

• Food Vocabulary
• At the Restaurant

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Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Coordinating Conjunctions

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

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Catalan Culture

• History and Geography
• Traditions and Celebrations

Sources

• Catalan verbs - Wikipedia
• Catalan/Verbs regulars - Wikibooks, open books for an open world
• Catalan: Verb

Other Lessons

• Definite Articles in Catalan
• Ablative Case in Catalan
• Reflexive verbs
• How to Use Have
• Cardinal Numbers in Catalan
• Pronouns
• Personal pronouns
• Gender
• Dative Case in Catalan
• Conditional and future tenses