The Imperfect Tense of abordar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Abordaba el tema con cautela. (I used to approach the topic cautiously.)

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

Conjugations

Conjugations of Abordar (to board) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

The imperfect tense of abordar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past.

To board (a vehicle, ship, etc.): Por ejemplo, cuando era niño, abordaba el autobús escolar todas las mañanas. (When I was a child, I boarded the school bus every morning.)

To approach or tackle (a subject, problem, etc.): Por ejemplo, en la universidad, abordábamos temas complejos en clase. (In university, we tackled complex topics in class.)

To accost or approach (someone): Por ejemplo, el vendedor ambulante me abordaba cada vez que pasaba por la plaza. (The street vendor would accost me every time I walked through the square.) This usage can have a negative or rude connotation.

To broach or bring up (a topic): Por ejemplo, mi jefe abordaba el tema de los recortes de personal con mucho tacto. (My boss would broach the topic of staff cuts very tactfully.)

Colloquially, to hit on or make a pass at (someone): Por ejemplo, ese chico me abordaba cada vez que iba al bar. (That guy would hit on me every time I went to the bar.) This usage is informal and can be considered rude.

Examples

Examples of Abordar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo abordaba el tema con cuidado durante las reuniones. (I used to approach the topic carefully during meetings.)

Ellos abordaban el avión con prisa para no perder el vuelo. (They used to board the plane in a hurry so as not to miss the flight.)

Tú abordabas los problemas de forma directa. (You used to address problems directly.)

Nosotros abordábamos los desafíos con entusiasmo. (We used to tackle challenges enthusiastically.)

Ella abordaba los temas difíciles con tacto. (She used to approach difficult topics tactfully.)

Vosotros abordabais las situaciones con calma. (You all used to approach situations calmly.)

Ustedes abordaban los proyectos de manera organizada. (You all used to approach projects in an organized manner.)

Él abordaba a las personas con una sonrisa. (He used to approach people with a smile.)

Yo abordaba los retos con determinación. (I used to tackle challenges with determination.)

Ellas abordaban los problemas de forma creativa. (They used to approach problems creatively.)

Tú abordabas las conversaciones con respeto. (You used to approach conversations respectfully.)

Nosotros abordábamos los conflictos con diplomacia. (We used to address conflicts diplomatically.)

Vosotros abordabais los temas con honestidad. (You all used to approach topics honestly.)

Ustedes abordaban las tareas con eficiencia. (You all used to tackle tasks efficiently.)

Ellos abordaban los desafíos con valentía. (They used to face challenges bravely.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Abordar (to board) 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.