The Imperfect Tense of llevar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Yo llevaba la maleta pesada. (I was carrying the heavy suitcase.)

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

Conjugations

Conjugations of Llevar (to carry) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

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

To carry or wear: For example, Yo llevaba una chaqueta roja. (I was wearing a red jacket.) This meaning is often used to describe clothing or accessories someone was carrying or wearing at a particular time in the past.

To take or bring: For example, Llevaba a mis hijos al parque todos los días. (I used to take my kids to the park every day.) This usage implies a repeated or habitual action of taking or bringing someone or something somewhere in the past.

To have (time): For example, Llevaba tres años viviendo en Madrid. (I had been living in Madrid for three years.) This meaning expresses the duration of a state or situation in the past.

To lead (a life): For example, Llevaba una vida tranquila en el campo. (I was leading a quiet life in the countryside.) This usage describes the kind of life someone was living or the way they were living in the past.

To take (a relationship): For example, Llevábamos una relación complicada. (We were having a complicated relationship.) This meaning refers to the state or nature of a relationship in the past.

To have (a business): For example, Llevaba un negocio familiar. (I had a family business.) This usage indicates that someone was running or managing a business in the past.

Colloquial usage: ¡Lleva toda la noche bebiendo! (He’s been drinking all night!) This colloquial usage expresses that someone has been doing something for an extended period of time, often with a negative connotation.

Examples

Examples of Llevar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo llevaba una vida muy ocupada cuando era estudiante. (I had a very busy life when I was a student.)

Ellos llevaban una relación de muchos años antes de casarse. (They had been in a relationship for many years before getting married.)

¿Llevabas mucho tiempo esperando en la fila? (Had you been waiting in line for a long time?)

Nosotros llevábamos un estilo de vida saludable, haciendo ejercicio y comiendo bien. (We had a healthy lifestyle, exercising and eating well.)

Ella llevaba puestos unos zapatos muy elegantes para la ocasión. (She had on some very elegant shoes for the occasion.)

Ustedes llevaban razón en sus argumentos, pero no pudimos convencer al jefe. (You were right in your arguments, but we couldn’t convince the boss.)

¿Cuánto tiempo llevabas viviendo en esa ciudad antes de mudarte? (How long had you been living in that city before moving?)

Mis padres llevaban años ahorrando para poder comprar una casa. (My parents had been saving for years to be able to buy a house.)

Ellas llevaban una amistad muy cercana desde la infancia. (They had had a very close friendship since childhood.)

Yo llevaba puesto un sombrero para protegerme del sol. (I had a hat on to protect myself from the sun.)

Tú llevabas la delantera en la carrera, pero al final te cansaste. (You were leading the race, but in the end you got tired.)

Ellos llevaban las cuentas del negocio con mucho cuidado. (They kept the business accounts very carefully.)

¿Llevabas mucho tiempo esperando una oportunidad así? (Had you been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this?)

Nosotros llevábamos una vida tranquila en el campo, lejos del ruido de la ciudad. (We had a quiet life in the countryside, away from the noise of the city.)

Ustedes llevaban una buena racha en el trabajo, pero luego todo se complicó. (You were on a good streak at work, but then everything got complicated.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Llevar (to carry) 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.