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{{Catalan-Page-Top}}
{{Catalan-Page-Top}}
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Catalan|Catalan]]  → [[Language/Catalan/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Catalan/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Past tense conjugation</div>
Welcome to this exciting lesson on "Catalan Grammar → Past tense conjugation"! As we embark on this journey through the intricacies of the Catalan language, you'll discover how to express actions and events that have already taken place. Understanding past tense conjugation is essential for narrating stories, sharing experiences, and connecting with others in conversations.
In this lesson, we will cover two main types of past tenses in Catalan: the '''preterite tense''' and the '''imperfect tense'''. Each has its own nuances and uses, making them crucial tools in your linguistic toolkit. By the end of this lesson, you’ll feel more confident in using these tenses and will be able to tell your own stories in Catalan.
Let's outline what we’ll cover today:
1. '''Introduction to Past Tenses'''
* Importance and use in everyday conversation
2. '''Preterite Tense'''
* Regular verb conjugation
* Common irregular verbs
* Examples and tables
3. '''Imperfect Tense'''
* Regular verb conjugation
* Common irregular verbs
* Examples and tables
4. '''Practice Exercises'''
* Exercises to reinforce your understanding


<div class="pg_page_title">Catalan Grammar → Intermediate Catalan grammar → Past tense conjugation</div>
* Detailed solutions and explanations


__TOC__
__TOC__


As a Catalan language teacher with 20 years of experience, I know that learning verb tenses can be challenging. However, understanding how to use the preterite and imperfect past tenses is essential for communicating effectively in Catalan. In this lesson, we will focus on the past tense conjugation of regular verbs and common irregular verbs.
=== Introduction to Past Tenses ===
 
Understanding how to express past actions is pivotal in any language. In Catalan, we have two primary past tenses: the preterite and the imperfect.
 
* The '''preterite tense''' is used for actions that are completed and specific in time. For instance, "I ate an apple yesterday" would be expressed in the preterite.
 
* The '''imperfect tense''', on the other hand, describes ongoing actions or habitual past actions. An example would be, "I used to eat apples every day."
 
Mastering these tenses will allow you to communicate more effectively about your past experiences and engage more deeply with Catalan speakers.
 
=== Preterite Tense ===
 
==== Regular Verb Conjugation ====
 
Regular verbs in Catalan follow specific patterns when conjugated in the preterite tense. Let's look at how to conjugate the three main types of regular verbs: '''-ar''', '''-er''', and '''-ir'''.
 
* Regular '''-ar''' verbs (e.g., "parlar" - to speak):
 
* '''jo''' (I) - parl'''i'''
 
* '''tu''' (you, singular) - parl'''ares'''
 
* '''ell/ella''' (he/she) - parl'''à'''
 
* '''nosaltres''' (we) - parl'''àrem'''
 
* '''vosaltres''' (you, plural) - parl'''àreu'''
 
* '''ells/elles''' (they) - parl'''aren'''
 
* Regular '''-er''' verbs (e.g., "menjar" - to eat):
 
* '''jo''' - menj'''i'''
 
* '''tu''' - menj'''ares'''
 
* '''ell/ella''' - menj'''à'''
 
* '''nosaltres''' - menj'''àrem'''
 
* '''vosaltres''' - menj'''àreu'''
 
* '''ells/elles''' - menj'''aren'''
 
* Regular '''-ir''' verbs (e.g., "dormir" - to sleep):
 
* '''jo''' - dorm'''i'''
 
* '''tu''' - dorm'''ires'''
 
* '''ell/ella''' - dorm'''í'''


== Preterite Tense ==
* '''nosaltres''' - dorm'''írem'''


The preterite tense, or "pretèrit" in Catalan, is used to talk about finished actions in the past. It is also used to talk about a past action that interrupts an ongoing action. To form the preterite tense of regular verbs, we need to follow these steps:
* '''vosaltres''' - dorm'''íreu'''


1. Start with the infinitive verb
* '''ells/elles''' - dorm'''iren'''
2. Remove the ending "-ar," "-er," or "-ir"
3. Add the preterite conjugation ending (-í, -ares, -à, -àrem, -àreu, -aren) depending on the subject pronouns (Jo, Tu, Ell/Ella, Nosaltres, Vosaltres, Els/Elles)


Here's how we conjugate the regular verbs in the preterite tense:  
Here’s a detailed table to illustrate these regular verbs:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| Parlar || [pərˈɫaɾ] || to speak
 
| parlar (to speak) || parˈlar || spoke
 
|-
|-
| Jo vaig parlar || [ʒu vəj pərˈɫaɾ] || I spoke
 
| menjar (to eat) || menˈdʒar || ate
 
|-
|-
| Tu vas parlar || [tu βəz pərˈɫaɾ] || You (singular) spoke
 
|-
| dormir (to sleep) || dorˈmir || slept
| Ell/ella va parlar || [əʎ/əʎə βə pərˈɫaɾ] || He/she spoke
 
|-
| Nosaltres vam parlar || [nuˈsaɫtɾəz βəm pərˈɫaɾ] || We spoke
|-
| Vosaltres vau parlar || [buˈsaɫtɾəz βəu pərˈɫaɾ] || You (plural) spoke
|-
| Ells/elles van parlar || [əʎs/əʎəz βəm pərˈɫaɾ] || They spoke
|}
|}


Note that there are some irregular verbs in the preterite tense, which change their stem or have different endings from regular verbs. Here are some common examples:
==== Common Irregular Verbs ====
 
While regular verbs follow predictable patterns, several important verbs in Catalan are irregular in the preterite tense. Let's look at some of the most common ones:
 
* '''ser''' (to be):
 
* '''jo''' - vaig ser
 
* '''tu''' - vas ser
 
* '''ell/ella''' - va ser
 
* '''nosaltres''' - vam ser
 
* '''vosaltres''' - vau ser
 
* '''ells/elles''' - van ser
 
* '''anar''' (to go):
 
* '''jo''' - vaig anar
 
* '''tu''' - vas anar
 
* '''ell/ella''' - va anar
 
* '''nosaltres''' - vam anar
 
* '''vosaltres''' - vau anar
 
* '''ells/elles''' - van anar
 
Let’s put these irregular verbs in a table for clarity:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| Ser || [səɾ] || to be
 
| ser (to be) || sɜr || was/were
 
|-
|-
| Jo vaig ser || [ʒu vəj səɾ] || I was
 
| anar (to go) || əˈnaɾ || went
 
|-
|-
| Tu vas ser || [tu βəz səɾ] || You (singular) were
 
| fer (to do/make) || fɛɾ || did/made
 
|-
|-
| Ell/ella va ser || [əʎ/əʎə βə səɾ] || He/she was
 
|-
| tenir (to have) || təˈni || had
| Nosaltres vam ser || [nuˈsaɫtɾəz βəm səɾ] || We were
 
|-
| Vosaltres vau ser || [buˈsaɫtɾəz βəu səɾ] || You (plural) were
|-
| Ells/elles van ser || [əʎs/əʎəz βəm səɾ] || They were
|}
|}


== Imperfect Tense ==
=== Imperfect Tense ===
 
==== Regular Verb Conjugation ====
 
Just like the preterite tense, the imperfect tense also has patterns for regular verbs in Catalan. Here’s how to conjugate regular '''-ar''', '''-er''', and '''-ir''' verbs in the imperfect tense:
 
* Regular '''-ar''' verbs (e.g., "parlar" - to speak):
 
* '''jo''' - parl'''ava'''
 
* '''tu''' - parl'''aves'''
 
* '''ell/ella''' - parl'''ava'''
 
* '''nosaltres''' - parl'''àvem'''
 
* '''vosaltres''' - parl'''àveu'''
 
* '''ells/elles''' - parl'''aven'''
 
* Regular '''-er''' verbs (e.g., "menjar" - to eat):
 
* '''jo''' - menj'''ava'''
 
* '''tu''' - menj'''aves'''
 
* '''ell/ella''' - menj'''ava'''
 
* '''nosaltres''' - menj'''àvem'''
 
* '''vosaltres''' - menj'''àveu'''
 
* '''ells/elles''' - menj'''aven'''
 
* Regular '''-ir''' verbs (e.g., "dormir" - to sleep):
 
* '''jo''' - dorm'''ia'''
 
* '''tu''' - dorm'''ies'''
 
* '''ell/ella''' - dorm'''ia'''
 
* '''nosaltres''' - dorm'''íem'''


The imperfect tense, or "imperfet" in Catalan, is used to talk about past actions that were ongoing or habitual in the past. To form the imperfect tense of regular verbs, we need to follow these steps:
* '''vosaltres''' - dorm'''íeu'''


1. Start with the infinitive verb
* '''ells/elles''' - dorm'''ien'''
2. Remove the ending "-ar," "-er," or "-ir"
3. Add the imperfect conjugation ending (-ava, -aves, -ava, -àvem, -àveu, -aven) depending on the subject pronouns (Jo, Tu, Ell/Ella, Nosaltres, Vosaltres, Els/Elles)


Here's how we conjugate the regular verbs in the imperfect tense:  
Here’s a table to visualize these regular verbs in the imperfect tense:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| Parlar || [pərˈɫaɾ] || to speak
 
| parlar (to speak) || parˈlar || was speaking
 
|-
|-
| Jo parlava || [ʒu pəɾˈɫaβə] || I used to speak
 
| menjar (to eat) || menˈdʒar || was eating
 
|-
|-
| Tu parlaves || [tu pəɾˈɫaβəs] || You (singular) used to speak
 
|-
| dormir (to sleep) || dorˈmir || was sleeping
| Ell/ella parlava || [əʎ/əʎə pəɾˈɫaβə] || He/she used to speak
 
|-
| Nosaltres parlàvem || [nusaɫˈtɾəz pəɾˈɫaβəm] || We used to speak
|-
| Vosaltres parlàveu || [busaɫˈtɾəz pəɾˈɫaβɛw] || You (plural) used to speak
|-
| Ells/elles parlaven || [əʎs/əʎəz pəɾˈɫaβən] || They used to speak
|}
|}


Just like in the preterite tense, some verbs are irregular in the imperfect tense. Here are some common examples:
==== Common Irregular Verbs ====
 
Just like in the preterite tense, there are also some common irregular verbs in the imperfect tense. Here are a few that you should know:
 
* '''ser''' (to be):
 
* '''jo''' - era
 
* '''tu''' - eres
 
* '''ell/ella''' - era
 
* '''nosaltres''' - érem
 
* '''vosaltres''' - éreu
 
* '''ells/elles''' - eren
 
* '''anar''' (to go):
 
* '''jo''' - anava
 
* '''tu''' - anaves
 
* '''ell/ella''' - anava
 
* '''nosaltres''' - anàvem
 
* '''vosaltres''' - anàveu
 
* '''ells/elles''' - anaven
 
Let’s summarize these irregular verbs in a table:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| Ser || [səɾ] || to be
 
| ser (to be) || sɜr || was/were
 
|-
|-
| Jo era || [ʒu ˈɛɾə] || I used to be
 
| anar (to go) || əˈnaɾ || was going
 
|-
|-
| Tu eres || [tu ˈɛɾəs] || You (singular) used to be
 
| fer (to do/make) || fɛɾ || was doing/making
 
|-
|-
| Ell/ella era || [əʎ/əʎə ˈɛɾə] || He/she used to be
 
|-
| tenir (to have) || təˈni || was having
| Nosaltres érem || [nuˈsaɫtɾəz ˈɛɾəm] || We used to be
 
|-
| Vosaltres éreu || [buˈsaɫtɾəz ˈɛɾew] || You (plural) used to be
|-
| Ells/elles eren || [əʎs/əʎəz ˈɛɾən] || They used to be
|}
|}


== Common Irregular Verbs ==
=== Practice Exercises ===
 
Now that we've covered the theory behind past tense conjugation, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises for you to practice.
 
==== Exercise 1: Conjugate the verbs ====
 
Conjugate the following regular verbs in the preterite tense:
 
1. (parlar) - yo
 
2. (menjar) - tu
 
3. (dormir) - ell/ella
 
4. (parlar) - nosaltres
 
5. (menjar) - vosaltres
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. vaig parlar
 
2. vas menjar
 
3. va dormir
 
4. vam parlar
 
5. vau menjar
 
==== Exercise 2: Identify the tense ====
 
Read the sentences below and identify whether they are in the preterite or imperfect tense.
 
1. Jo menjava a les 8.
 
2. Ell va parlar amb la seva amiga.
 
3. Nosaltres anàvem a la platja cada estiu.
 
4. Tu vas fer els deures ahir.
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. Imperfect
 
2. Preterite
 
3. Imperfect
 
4. Preterite
 
==== Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks ====
 
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses:
 
1. Ahir (parlar) amb el meu professor.
 
2. Quan era petit, (menjar) moltes fruites.
 
3. L'any passat, (anar) a Barcelona.
 
4. Cada diumenge, (dormir) fins tard.
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. vaig parlar
 
2. menjava
 
3. vaig anar
 
4. dormia
 
==== Exercise 4: Translate the sentences ====
 
Translate the following sentences from English to Catalan:
 
1. I was eating breakfast.
 
2. They went to the movies.
 
3. We were playing soccer.
 
4. You made a cake.
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. Jo esmorzava.
 
2. Ells van anar al cinema.
 
3. Nosaltres jugàvem a futbol.
 
4. Tu vas fer un pastís.
 
==== Exercise 5: Conjugate the irregular verbs ====
 
Conjugate the following irregular verbs in the imperfect tense:
 
1. (ser) - jo
 
2. (anar) - tu
 
3. (fer) - ell/ella
 
4. (tenir) - nosaltres
 
5. (ser) - vosaltres
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. era
 
2. anaves
 
3. feia
 
4. érem
 
5. éreu
 
==== Exercise 6: Choose the correct verb ====
 
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence:
 
1. Cada matí, jo (parlar/parlo) amb la meva mare.
 
2. Ahir, nosaltres (anar/anàvem) al mercat.
 
3. Ell (menjaria/menjava) una poma cada dia.
 
4. Vosaltres (festeu/fèieu) el cap de setmana passat.
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. parlo
 
2. anàvem
 
3. menjaria
 
4. fèieu
 
==== Exercise 7: Write sentences ====
 
Write a sentence using the preterite tense and another using the imperfect tense with the verb "jugar" (to play).
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. Jo vaig jugar a futbol ahir. (Preterite)
 
2. Quan era petit, jugava a futbol cada diumenge. (Imperfect)
 
==== Exercise 8: Make a dialogue ====
 
Create a short dialogue between two friends discussing what they did last weekend. Use both preterite and imperfect tenses.
 
''Solutions:'' (Example)
 
A: Què vas fer el cap de setmana passat?
 
B: Vaig anar a la platja i vaig jugar a vòlei. I tu, què feies?
 
A: Jo llegia un llibre a casa.
 
==== Exercise 9: Correct the mistakes ====
 
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
 
1. Jo menjava un pastís ahir.
 
2. Ells van jugaven a bàsquet.
 
3. Nosaltres va ser a la festa.
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. Jo vaig menjar un pastís ahir.
 
2. Ells van jugar a bàsquet.
 
3. Nosaltres vam ser a la festa.
 
==== Exercise 10: Conjugate and translate ====
 
Conjugate the following verbs in the preterite tense and then translate them into English:
 
1. (fer) - tu
 
2. (anar) - nosaltres
 
3. (parlar) - ells/elles
 
4. (dormir) - jo
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. vas fer - you did/made


In addition to the irregular verbs mentioned above, Catalan has many common irregular verbs that are frequently used in conversation. Here is a list of some of the most important ones:
2. vam anar - we went


* Anar (to go)
3. van parlar - they spoke
* Tenir (to have)
* Fer (to do/make)
* Dir (to say/tell)
* Veure (to see)
* Saber (to know)
* Poder (to be able to)
* Voler (to want)
* Haver (to have, as an auxiliary verb)


It's important to memorize the conjugation of these verbs in both preterite and imperfect tenses to be able to communicate effectively in Catalan.
4. vaig dormir - I slept


That's all for this lesson on past tense conjugation in Catalan. Keep practicing and don't be afraid to make mistakes. With time and patience, you'll become more comfortable with the language and its grammar. Join me in the next lesson where we will learn about the different types of pronouns in Catalan.
Congratulations on completing this lesson on past tense conjugation in Catalan! You've taken an important step toward mastering the language. Remember to practice regularly, as consistency is key in language learning. Keep engaging with the material, and don’t hesitate to revisit this lesson whenever you need a refresher!


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Intermediate Catalan grammar: Learn the past tense conjugation of regular and irregular verbs
 
|keywords=Catalan grammar, preterite tense, imperfect tense, regular verbs, irregular verbs
|title=Catalan Grammar: Past Tense Conjugation
|description=In this lesson, you will learn the different conjugations for the preterite and imperfect past tenses of regular and common irregular verbs in Catalan.
 
|keywords=Catalan, Grammar, Past Tense, Preterite, Imperfect, Conjugation, Language Learning
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the preterite and imperfect tenses in Catalan, with examples and practice exercises.
 
}}
}}


{{Catalan-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
{{Template:Catalan-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}


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[[Category:0-to-A1-Course]]
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[[Category:Catalan-0-to-A1-Course]]
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<span openai_correct_model></span> <span gpt></span> <span model=gpt-4o-mini></span> <span temperature=0.7></span>
==Videos==
===Learn Catalan Language: Past Verbal Tenses - YouTube===
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUQSAw14hEY</youtube>
==Sources==
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalan_verbs Catalan verbs - Wikipedia]
* [https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Catalan/Verbs_regulars Catalan/Verbs regulars - Wikibooks, open books for an open world]
* [https://www.orbilat.com/Languages/Catalan/Grammar/Catalan-Verb.html Catalan: Verb]




==Related Lessons==
==Other Lessons==
* [[Language/Catalan/Grammar/Definite-Articles-in-Catalan|Definite Articles in Catalan]]
* [[Language/Catalan/Grammar/Definite-Articles-in-Catalan|Definite Articles in Catalan]]
* [[Language/Catalan/Grammar/Ablative-Case-in-Catalan|Ablative Case in Catalan]]
* [[Language/Catalan/Grammar/Ablative-Case-in-Catalan|Ablative Case in Catalan]]
Line 147: Line 548:
* [[Language/Catalan/Grammar/Dative-Case-in-Catalan|Dative Case in Catalan]]
* [[Language/Catalan/Grammar/Dative-Case-in-Catalan|Dative Case in Catalan]]
* [[Language/Catalan/Grammar/Conditional-and-future-tenses|Conditional and future tenses]]
* [[Language/Catalan/Grammar/Conditional-and-future-tenses|Conditional and future tenses]]


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Latest revision as of 10:00, 1 August 2024


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

Welcome to this exciting lesson on "Catalan Grammar → Past tense conjugation"! As we embark on this journey through the intricacies of the Catalan language, you'll discover how to express actions and events that have already taken place. Understanding past tense conjugation is essential for narrating stories, sharing experiences, and connecting with others in conversations.

In this lesson, we will cover two main types of past tenses in Catalan: the preterite tense and the imperfect tense. Each has its own nuances and uses, making them crucial tools in your linguistic toolkit. By the end of this lesson, you’ll feel more confident in using these tenses and will be able to tell your own stories in Catalan.

Let's outline what we’ll cover today:

1. Introduction to Past Tenses

  • Importance and use in everyday conversation

2. Preterite Tense

  • Regular verb conjugation
  • Common irregular verbs
  • Examples and tables

3. Imperfect Tense

  • Regular verb conjugation
  • Common irregular verbs
  • Examples and tables

4. Practice Exercises

  • Exercises to reinforce your understanding
  • Detailed solutions and explanations

Introduction to Past Tenses[edit | edit source]

Understanding how to express past actions is pivotal in any language. In Catalan, we have two primary past tenses: the preterite and the imperfect.

  • The preterite tense is used for actions that are completed and specific in time. For instance, "I ate an apple yesterday" would be expressed in the preterite.
  • The imperfect tense, on the other hand, describes ongoing actions or habitual past actions. An example would be, "I used to eat apples every day."

Mastering these tenses will allow you to communicate more effectively about your past experiences and engage more deeply with Catalan speakers.

Preterite Tense[edit | edit source]

Regular Verb Conjugation[edit | edit source]

Regular verbs in Catalan follow specific patterns when conjugated in the preterite tense. Let's look at how to conjugate the three main types of regular verbs: -ar, -er, and -ir.

  • Regular -ar verbs (e.g., "parlar" - to speak):
  • jo (I) - parli
  • tu (you, singular) - parlares
  • ell/ella (he/she) - parlà
  • nosaltres (we) - parlàrem
  • vosaltres (you, plural) - parlàreu
  • ells/elles (they) - parlaren
  • Regular -er verbs (e.g., "menjar" - to eat):
  • jo - menji
  • tu - menjares
  • ell/ella - menjà
  • nosaltres - menjàrem
  • vosaltres - menjàreu
  • ells/elles - menjaren
  • Regular -ir verbs (e.g., "dormir" - to sleep):
  • jo - dormi
  • tu - dormires
  • ell/ella - dormí
  • nosaltres - dormírem
  • vosaltres - dormíreu
  • ells/elles - dormiren

Here’s a detailed table to illustrate these regular verbs:

Catalan Pronunciation English
parlar (to speak) parˈlar spoke
menjar (to eat) menˈdʒar ate
dormir (to sleep) dorˈmir slept

Common Irregular Verbs[edit | edit source]

While regular verbs follow predictable patterns, several important verbs in Catalan are irregular in the preterite tense. Let's look at some of the most common ones:

  • ser (to be):
  • jo - vaig ser
  • tu - vas ser
  • ell/ella - va ser
  • nosaltres - vam ser
  • vosaltres - vau ser
  • ells/elles - van ser
  • anar (to go):
  • jo - vaig anar
  • tu - vas anar
  • ell/ella - va anar
  • nosaltres - vam anar
  • vosaltres - vau anar
  • ells/elles - van anar

Let’s put these irregular verbs in a table for clarity:

Catalan Pronunciation English
ser (to be) sɜr was/were
anar (to go) əˈnaɾ went
fer (to do/make) fɛɾ did/made
tenir (to have) təˈni had

Imperfect Tense[edit | edit source]

Regular Verb Conjugation[edit | edit source]

Just like the preterite tense, the imperfect tense also has patterns for regular verbs in Catalan. Here’s how to conjugate regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs in the imperfect tense:

  • Regular -ar verbs (e.g., "parlar" - to speak):
  • jo - parlava
  • tu - parlaves
  • ell/ella - parlava
  • nosaltres - parlàvem
  • vosaltres - parlàveu
  • ells/elles - parlaven
  • Regular -er verbs (e.g., "menjar" - to eat):
  • jo - menjava
  • tu - menjaves
  • ell/ella - menjava
  • nosaltres - menjàvem
  • vosaltres - menjàveu
  • ells/elles - menjaven
  • Regular -ir verbs (e.g., "dormir" - to sleep):
  • jo - dormia
  • tu - dormies
  • ell/ella - dormia
  • nosaltres - dormíem
  • vosaltres - dormíeu
  • ells/elles - dormien

Here’s a table to visualize these regular verbs in the imperfect tense:

Catalan Pronunciation English
parlar (to speak) parˈlar was speaking
menjar (to eat) menˈdʒar was eating
dormir (to sleep) dorˈmir was sleeping

Common Irregular Verbs[edit | edit source]

Just like in the preterite tense, there are also some common irregular verbs in the imperfect tense. Here are a few that you should know:

  • ser (to be):
  • jo - era
  • tu - eres
  • ell/ella - era
  • nosaltres - érem
  • vosaltres - éreu
  • ells/elles - eren
  • anar (to go):
  • jo - anava
  • tu - anaves
  • ell/ella - anava
  • nosaltres - anàvem
  • vosaltres - anàveu
  • ells/elles - anaven

Let’s summarize these irregular verbs in a table:

Catalan Pronunciation English
ser (to be) sɜr was/were
anar (to go) əˈnaɾ was going
fer (to do/make) fɛɾ was doing/making
tenir (to have) təˈni was having

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that we've covered the theory behind past tense conjugation, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises for you to practice.

Exercise 1: Conjugate the verbs[edit | edit source]

Conjugate the following regular verbs in the preterite tense:

1. (parlar) - yo

2. (menjar) - tu

3. (dormir) - ell/ella

4. (parlar) - nosaltres

5. (menjar) - vosaltres

Solutions:

1. vaig parlar

2. vas menjar

3. va dormir

4. vam parlar

5. vau menjar

Exercise 2: Identify the tense[edit | edit source]

Read the sentences below and identify whether they are in the preterite or imperfect tense.

1. Jo menjava a les 8.

2. Ell va parlar amb la seva amiga.

3. Nosaltres anàvem a la platja cada estiu.

4. Tu vas fer els deures ahir.

Solutions:

1. Imperfect

2. Preterite

3. Imperfect

4. Preterite

Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks[edit | edit source]

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses:

1. Ahir (parlar) amb el meu professor.

2. Quan era petit, (menjar) moltes fruites.

3. L'any passat, (anar) a Barcelona.

4. Cada diumenge, (dormir) fins tard.

Solutions:

1. vaig parlar

2. menjava

3. vaig anar

4. dormia

Exercise 4: Translate the sentences[edit | edit source]

Translate the following sentences from English to Catalan:

1. I was eating breakfast.

2. They went to the movies.

3. We were playing soccer.

4. You made a cake.

Solutions:

1. Jo esmorzava.

2. Ells van anar al cinema.

3. Nosaltres jugàvem a futbol.

4. Tu vas fer un pastís.

Exercise 5: Conjugate the irregular verbs[edit | edit source]

Conjugate the following irregular verbs in the imperfect tense:

1. (ser) - jo

2. (anar) - tu

3. (fer) - ell/ella

4. (tenir) - nosaltres

5. (ser) - vosaltres

Solutions:

1. era

2. anaves

3. feia

4. érem

5. éreu

Exercise 6: Choose the correct verb[edit | edit source]

Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence:

1. Cada matí, jo (parlar/parlo) amb la meva mare.

2. Ahir, nosaltres (anar/anàvem) al mercat.

3. Ell (menjaria/menjava) una poma cada dia.

4. Vosaltres (festeu/fèieu) el cap de setmana passat.

Solutions:

1. parlo

2. anàvem

3. menjaria

4. fèieu

Exercise 7: Write sentences[edit | edit source]

Write a sentence using the preterite tense and another using the imperfect tense with the verb "jugar" (to play).

Solutions:

1. Jo vaig jugar a futbol ahir. (Preterite)

2. Quan era petit, jugava a futbol cada diumenge. (Imperfect)

Exercise 8: Make a dialogue[edit | edit source]

Create a short dialogue between two friends discussing what they did last weekend. Use both preterite and imperfect tenses.

Solutions: (Example)

A: Què vas fer el cap de setmana passat?

B: Vaig anar a la platja i vaig jugar a vòlei. I tu, què feies?

A: Jo llegia un llibre a casa.

Exercise 9: Correct the mistakes[edit | edit source]

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences:

1. Jo menjava un pastís ahir.

2. Ells van jugaven a bàsquet.

3. Nosaltres va ser a la festa.

Solutions:

1. Jo vaig menjar un pastís ahir.

2. Ells van jugar a bàsquet.

3. Nosaltres vam ser a la festa.

Exercise 10: Conjugate and translate[edit | edit source]

Conjugate the following verbs in the preterite tense and then translate them into English:

1. (fer) - tu

2. (anar) - nosaltres

3. (parlar) - ells/elles

4. (dormir) - jo

Solutions:

1. vas fer - you did/made

2. vam anar - we went

3. van parlar - they spoke

4. vaig dormir - I slept

Congratulations on completing this lesson on past tense conjugation in Catalan! You've taken an important step toward mastering the language. Remember to practice regularly, as consistency is key in language learning. Keep engaging with the material, and don’t hesitate to revisit this lesson whenever you need a refresher!

Table of Contents - Catalan Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Introduction to Catalan


Greetings and Introductions


Articles and Nouns


Numbers and Time


Adjectives and Pronouns


Family and Relationships


Verbs and Tenses


Food and Dining


Prepositions and Conjunctions


Travel and Transportation


Catalan Culture

Videos[edit | edit source]

Learn Catalan Language: Past Verbal Tenses - YouTube[edit | edit source]


Sources[edit | edit source]


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]


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