Pretérito indefinido basics
Use the indefinido for completed past events seen as finished and bounded in time.
Examples
SpanishTranslation
Ayer terminé el informe y llamé a Marta.
Yesterday I finished the report and called Marta.
El sábado vimos una película muy larga.
On Saturday we watched a very long movie.
Llegaron tarde, pero entraron sin problema.
They arrived late, but they got in without a problem.
Pattern
completed past form + finished event
How it works
Use the indefinido for completed past events seen as finished and bounded in time. This pattern typically appears as completed past form + finished event and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- The indefinido often pairs with clear finished time markers like ayer or el año pasado.
- It moves a story forward one completed event at a time.
Why it matters
Describe finished actions and daily habits with more control.
Use in context
This tense is essential once you want to narrate a sequence of completed actions instead of only recent past relevance.