The Imperfect Tense of gastar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Gastaba mucho dinero en videojuegos cuando era niño. (I used to spend a lot of money on video games when I was a child.)

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

Conjugations

Conjugations of Gastar (to spend) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

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

Spending money: For example, Gastaba mucho dinero en ropa. (I used to spend a lot of money on clothes.) This meaning refers to the act of using or consuming money or resources.

Using or consuming: For example, Gastábamos mucha gasolina en nuestros viajes. (We used to consume a lot of gas on our trips.) This meaning extends to using up or depleting various resources or materials.

Wearing out: For example, Mis zapatos se gastaban rápido. (My shoes used to wear out quickly.) This meaning refers to the gradual deterioration or wearing down of objects through use.

Wasting time: For example, Gastaba mucho tiempo viendo televisión. (I used to waste a lot of time watching TV.) This idiomatic usage implies spending time unproductively or frivolously.

Joking or teasing (colloquial): For example, Siempre me gastaba bromas pesadas. (He/She used to play mean jokes on me.) In some Latin American contexts, gastar can mean to joke, tease or make fun of someone in a playful or mocking way.

Examples

Examples of Gastar in the Imperfect Tense

Cuando era niño, gastaba mucho dinero en dulces y juguetes. (When I was a child, I used to spend a lot of money on candy and toys.)

Mi abuela gastaba horas cocinando deliciosos platillos para toda la familia. (My grandmother used to spend hours cooking delicious dishes for the whole family.)

Antes, gastábamos mucho tiempo viendo televisión, pero ahora preferimos salir y hacer actividades al aire libre. (Before, we used to spend a lot of time watching TV, but now we prefer to go out and do outdoor activities.)

En su juventud, gastaba gran parte de su sueldo en fiestas y diversión con amigos. (In his youth, he used to spend a large part of his salary on parties and having fun with friends.)

Ella gastaba mucho esfuerzo en mantener su jardín hermoso y bien cuidado. (She used to spend a lot of effort keeping her garden beautiful and well-tended.)

Mis padres gastaban demasiado en reparaciones para el viejo carro familiar. (My parents used to spend too much on repairs for the old family car.)

Antes de tener hijos, gastábamos nuestro dinero en viajes y aventuras. (Before having kids, we used to spend our money on trips and adventures.)

Cada verano, gastaba semanas enteras en la playa, disfrutando del sol y el mar. (Every summer, I used to spend entire weeks at the beach, enjoying the sun and the sea.)

En su época de estudiante, gastaba mucho tiempo en la biblioteca, preparándose para los exámenes. (During his student days, he used to spend a lot of time in the library, preparing for exams.)

Cuando éramos jóvenes, gastábamos nuestro dinero en tonterías, sin pensar en el futuro. (When we were young, we used to spend our money on silly things, without thinking about the future.)

Mi tío gastaba una fortuna en coleccionar antigüedades y obras de arte. (My uncle used to spend a fortune collecting antiques and works of art.)

Antes de tener hijos, ella gastaba horas extras en el trabajo para avanzar en su carrera. (Before having kids, she used to work overtime to advance her career.)

En su juventud, gastaba mucha energía practicando deportes y manteniéndose en forma. (In his youth, he used to spend a lot of energy practicing sports and keeping in shape.)

Mis abuelos gastaban gran parte de su tiempo libre cultivando su propio huerto y cosechando verduras frescas. (My grandparents used to spend a lot of their free time cultivating their own vegetable garden and harvesting fresh produce.)

Cuando vivía sola, gastaba mucho dinero en comida rápida y restaurantes, pero ahora prefiero cocinar en casa. (When I lived alone, I used to spend a lot of money on fast food and restaurants, but now I prefer to cook at home.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Gastar (to spend) 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.