The Imperfect Tense of cubrir is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Yo cubría la mesa con un mantel. (I used to cover the table with a tablecloth.)

Cubrir is a regular -ir verb, so its Imperfect Tense conjugations follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Cubrir (to cover) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

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

To cover or put something over: Por ejemplo, Cubría la mesa con un mantel (I used to cover the table with a tablecloth). This can also mean to cover up or conceal something, like Cubría sus mentiras con más mentiras (He covered up his lies with more lies).

To take care of or handle: For example, Yo cubría los gastos de la casa (I took care of the household expenses).

To fill a position or role: Like Cubría el puesto de gerente mientras ella estaba de vacaciones (I filled the manager position while she was on vacation).

To travel a distance: For instance, Cubríamos 20 kilómetros al día en la caminata (We covered 20 kilometers per day on the hike).

Colloquially, to insult or criticize: As in Siempre me cubría de insultos (He was always covering me with insults).

Examples

Examples of Cubrir in the Imperfect Tense

Cuando era niño, mi abuela cubría la mesa con un mantel bordado a mano. (When I was a child, my grandmother would cover the table with a hand-embroidered tablecloth.)

El equipo de construcción cubría el piso con láminas de plástico para protegerlo del polvo. (The construction crew would cover the floor with plastic sheets to protect it from dust.)

Durante la tormenta, cubríamos las ventanas con tablas de madera para evitar que se rompieran. (During the storm, we would cover the windows with wooden boards to prevent them from breaking.)

Antes de dormir, mi mamá cubría mi cuerpo con una manta calientita. (Before going to sleep, my mom would cover my body with a warm blanket.)

En el campo, los agricultores cubrían los cultivos con lonas para protegerlos del granizo. (In the countryside, farmers would cover the crops with tarps to protect them from hail.)

Cuando llovía, cubríamos nuestras cabezas con periódicos para no mojarnos. (When it rained, we would cover our heads with newspapers to avoid getting wet.)

Mi tío cubría su rostro con un pañuelo para evitar inhalar el polvo en la construcción. (My uncle would cover his face with a handkerchief to avoid inhaling dust at the construction site.)

En la playa, cubríamos nuestros hombros con toallas para no quemarnos con el sol. (At the beach, we would cover our shoulders with towels to avoid getting sunburned.)

Cuando hacía frío, mi abuela cubría sus piernas con una manta de lana. (When it was cold, my grandmother would cover her legs with a wool blanket.)

Durante el invierno, cubríamos las plantas con plástico para protegerlas de las heladas. (During winter, we would cover the plants with plastic to protect them from frost.)

En la oficina, cubríamos los muebles con sábanas cuando pintábamos las paredes. (At the office, we would cover the furniture with sheets when painting the walls.)

Cuando llovía fuerte, cubríamos los agujeros en el techo con lonas para evitar goteras. (When it rained heavily, we would cover the holes in the roof with tarps to prevent leaks.)

En el hospital, las enfermeras cubrían las heridas de los pacientes con vendas estériles. (At the hospital, nurses would cover the patients’ wounds with sterile bandages.)

Durante la mudanza, cubríamos los muebles con mantas para evitar rayones. (During the move, we would cover the furniture with blankets to avoid scratches.)

En el restaurante, los meseros cubrían las mesas con manteles limpios antes de que llegaran los comensales. (At the restaurant, the waiters would cover the tables with clean tablecloths before the diners arrived.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Cubrir (to cover) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian 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.