The Imperfect Tense of costar is used to describe ongoing or repeated costs in the past, for example, Esos zapatos me costaban 50 euros. (Those shoes used to cost me 50 euros.)

Costar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the Imperfect Tense follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Costar (to cost) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

The imperfect tense of costar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, as well as descriptions and states of being.

To cost (money): For example, Esos zapatos me costaban 50 euros. (Those shoes used to cost me 50 euros.)

To be difficult or hard: For example, Me costaba mucho levantarme temprano. (It was very difficult for me to get up early.)

To make an effort: For example, Le costaba concentrarse en clase. (He had a hard time concentrating in class.)

To be reluctant or hesitant (colloquial): For example, Me costaba pedirle un favor. (I was reluctant to ask him for a favor.)

Examples

Examples of Costar in the Imperfect Tense

El viaje costaba mucho dinero, así que tuvimos que ahorrar durante meses. (The trip was costing a lot of money, so we had to save for months.)

Cuando costaba menos, comprábamos más frutas y verduras frescas. (When it was costing less, we used to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables.)

La reparación del auto costaba un ojo de la cara, por eso decidimos comprar uno nuevo. (The car repair was costing an arm and a leg, so we decided to buy a new one.)

En esa época, costaba un huevo conseguir entradas para el concierto. (Back then, it was costing an arm and a leg to get tickets for the concert.)

Antes de mudarnos, costaba un dineral pagar el alquiler en esa zona. (Before we moved, it was costing a fortune to pay rent in that area.)

Cuando éramos niños, costaba menos ir al cine los miércoles. (When we were kids, it used to cost less to go to the movies on Wednesdays.)

En aquellos días, costaba un ojo de la cara comprar libros importados. (In those days, it was costing an arm and a leg to buy imported books.)

Antes de la crisis, costaba menos llenar el tanque de gasolina. (Before the crisis, it used to cost less to fill up the gas tank.)

Cuando costaba menos, íbamos más seguido a restaurantes caros. (When it was costing less, we used to go to expensive restaurants more often.)

En esa época, costaba un huevo encontrar trabajo sin experiencia. (Back then, it was costing an arm and a leg to find a job without experience.)

Antes de la inflación, costaba menos comprar ropa de marca. (Before inflation, it used to cost less to buy brand-name clothes.)

Cuando costaba menos, viajábamos más seguido al extranjero. (When it was costing less, we used to travel abroad more often.)

En aquellos días, costaba un dineral contratar a un abogado bueno. (In those days, it was costing a fortune to hire a good lawyer.)

Antes de la subida de precios, costaba menos comer fuera todos los fines de semana. (Before the price hike, it used to cost less to eat out every weekend.)

Cuando costaba menos, comprábamos más regalos caros para las fiestas. (When it was costing less, we used to buy more expensive gifts for the holidays.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Costar (to cost) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

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

Synonyms

The Imperfect tense is also known as the Past Imperfect, Descriptive Past, Past Progressive, or Imperfect Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Imperfecto, Copretérito, Imperfecto de Indicativo, or Pasado Descriptivo in Spanish.