Memorize “Respirar” conjugations in the Imperfect 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 “Respirar” (to breathe) in the Imperfect 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 Imperfect Tense of “Respirar”

The Imperfect Tense of respirar is used to describe an ongoing or repeated action in the past, for example, Respiraba profundamente durante la meditación. (I was breathing deeply during meditation.)

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

How to Use Respirar in the Imperfect Tense

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

Breathing: Por ejemplo, cuando era niño, respiraba el aire fresco del campo. (For example, when I was a child, I breathed the fresh country air.)

Inhaling/Exhaling: Por ejemplo, respiraba profundamente para relajarme. (For example, I breathed deeply to relax.)

Living/Existing: Por ejemplo, en aquella época, respirábamos un ambiente de libertad. (For example, in those times, we breathed an atmosphere of freedom.)

Resting/Recovering: Por ejemplo, después del accidente, respiraba con dificultad. (For example, after the accident, I breathed with difficulty.)

Slang: Breathing down someone’s neck: Por ejemplo, el jefe siempre me respiraba en la nuca, no me dejaba en paz. (For example, the boss was always breathing down my neck, he wouldn’t leave me alone.)

Real Life Examples of Respirar in the Imperfect Tense

Cuando era niño, respiraba el aire fresco de la montaña. (When I was a child, I breathed the fresh mountain air.)

Ella respiraba profundamente para calmarse antes de su presentación. (She took deep breaths to calm herself before her presentation.)

En el parque, respirábamos el aroma de las flores silvestres. (In the park, we breathed in the scent of wildflowers.)

Después de correr, respiraba con dificultad. (After running, he was breathing heavily.)

Vosotros respirabais el humo del incendio forestal. (You breathed in the smoke from the forest fire.)

Ustedes respiraban el aire viciado de la oficina. (You breathed the stale office air.)

Yo respiraba el olor a pan recién horneado. (I breathed in the aroma of freshly baked bread.)

Nosotros respirábamos el aire salado del mar. (We breathed the salty sea air.)

Ellos respiraban el humo del cigarro en el bar. (They breathed in the cigarette smoke at the bar.)

Tú respirabas el aroma de las especias en el mercado. (You breathed in the scent of spices at the market.)

Ella respiraba con dificultad después de la carrera. (She was breathing heavily after the race.)

Vosotros respirabais el aire fresco de la mañana. (You breathed the fresh morning air.)

Ustedes respiraban el olor a pintura en el taller de arte. (You breathed in the smell of paint in the art studio.)

Yo respiraba el aroma del café recién hecho. (I breathed in the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.)

Nosotros respirábamos el aire puro de la montaña. (We breathed the pure mountain air.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Respirar (to breathe) in the Imperfect 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.