Memorize “Pertenecer” conjugations in the Preterite (Past) Tense effortlessly. Our unique loop-based audio helps you absorb verb forms naturally—just like native speakers. Tap to play and start memorizing 10x faster now!

Pro Tip: Play the audio on a loop while reviewing the conjugation chart to naturally absorb the correct forms. Try it now!

Conjugation Chart of “Pertenecer” (to belong) in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Why Use Loop-Based Learning

• 🧠 Activates natural language processing in the brain
• 🔄 Makes conjugations feel automatic
• 📝 Reduces mental effort compared to rote memorization
• 💡 Builds fluency through repetition

Unlike traditional methods that rely on memorizing rules and grammar drills, our approach mimics how native speakers naturally acquire language—by hearing patterns repeatedly in context. This activates your brain’s phonological loop, making verb forms feel familiar and automatic.

To learn more about the science behind this technique, read our detailed article: The Neuroscience of Language Learning: How Listening on a Loop Strengthens Your Fluency

Understanding the Preterite (Past) Tense of “Pertenecer”

The preterite of pertenecer is used to express when something belonged to someone at a specific time in the past. For example, when you want to say “This house belonged to my grandparents” – “Esta casa perteneció a mis abuelos.”

This verb follows the regular -er conjugation pattern in the preterite tense. Despite ending in -ecer, it conjugates regularly in the preterite without any spelling changes.

How to Use Pertenecer in the Preterite (Past) Tense

The Preterite of pertenecer indicates completed periods of belonging.

To belong to: Describes a finished period of ownership or membership, for example El libro perteneció a mi abuelo (The book belonged to my grandfather), or Perteneció al club por diez años (He belonged to the club for ten years).

To be part of: Indicates past membership or inclusion, for example Pertenecimos al mismo equipo (We belonged to the same team).

Real Life Examples of Pertenecer in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Este libro perteneció a mi abuelo. (This book belonged to my grandfather.)

Pertenecí al club de debate por tres años. (I belonged to the debate club for three years.)

La casa perteneció a una familia noble. (The house belonged to a noble family.)

Estos terrenos pertenecieron al municipio. (These lands belonged to the municipality.)

Perteneciste al equipo ganador. (You belonged to the winning team.)

El cuadro perteneció al museo nacional. (The painting belonged to the national museum.)

Pertenecimos al mismo grupo social. (We belonged to the same social group.)

Esa joya perteneció a la corona. (That jewel belonged to the crown.)

Los documentos pertenecieron al archivo histórico. (The documents belonged to the historical archive.)

¿A quién perteneció este reloj? (Who did this watch belong to?)

Perteneciste al coro de la escuela. (You belonged to the school choir.)

El edificio perteneció a una empresa extranjera. (The building belonged to a foreign company.)

Pertenecimos a la misma generación. (We belonged to the same generation.)

Esas tierras pertenecieron a mis antepasados. (Those lands belonged to my ancestors.)

La colección perteneció a un famoso artista. (The collection belonged to a famous artist.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Pertenecer (to belong) in the Preterite (Past) Tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Preterite tense is also known as the Simple Past, Past Simple, Definite Past, Absolute Past, or Past Tense Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Perfecto Simple, Pretérito Indefinido, Pretérito Simple, Pasado Simple, or Pretérito de Indicativo in Spanish.