The Imperfect Tense of preparar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Preparaba la cena todas las noches. (I used to prepare dinner every night.)

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

Conjugations

Conjugations of Preparar (to prepare) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

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

Describing an ongoing action in the past: For example, Preparaba la cena cuando llegó mi hermano. (I was preparing dinner when my brother arrived.)

Describing repeated or habitual actions in the past: For example, De niño, preparaba el desayuno todos los días. (As a child, I used to prepare breakfast every day.)

Describing actions in progress without a specific endpoint: For example, Preparábamos el viaje durante meses. (We were preparing for the trip for months.)

Describing physical or emotional states in the past: For example, Preparaba mi mente para el examen. (I was preparing my mind for the exam.)

Describing background information or setting the scene: For example, Era una mañana fría y preparábamos el campamento. (It was a cold morning, and we were preparing the campsite.)

Colloquial usage: In some contexts, preparar can be used informally to mean “to get ready” or “to prepare oneself,” often with a mischievous or humorous connotation. For example, ¡Prepárate, que esta noche vamos de fiesta! (Get ready, because we’re going out partying tonight!)

Examples

Examples of Preparar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo preparaba la cena mientras mi esposa ponía la mesa. (I was preparing dinner while my wife set the table.)

Cuando éramos niños, preparábamos obras de teatro en el patio trasero. (When we were kids, we used to prepare plays in the backyard.)

Ellos preparaban sus maletas para el viaje con mucha anticipación. (They were preparing their suitcases for the trip well in advance.)

Tú preparabas los informes financieros cada trimestre. (You used to prepare the financial reports every quarter.)

Nosotros preparábamos la fiesta sorpresa para el cumpleaños de mamá. (We were preparing the surprise party for mom’s birthday.)

Ustedes preparaban el terreno para plantar el huerto orgánico. (You all were preparing the ground to plant the organic garden.)

Ella preparaba su tesis doctoral con mucha dedicación. (She was preparing her doctoral thesis with great dedication.)

Vosotros preparabais el equipaje para el campamento de verano. (You all were preparing the luggage for the summer camp.)

Ellas preparaban los bocadillos para la reunión de la oficina. (They were preparing the snacks for the office meeting.)

Yo preparaba mi presentación para la conferencia con mucho esmero. (I was preparing my presentation for the conference with great care.)

Tú preparabas las lecciones para tus alumnos con creatividad. (You used to prepare lessons for your students creatively.)

Nosotros preparábamos la barbacoa para la fiesta familiar. (We were preparing the barbecue for the family party.)

Ustedes preparaban el jardín para la primavera con esmero. (You all were preparing the garden for spring with care.)

Ellos preparaban el menú para el restaurante con mucha atención a los detalles. (They were preparing the menu for the restaurant with great attention to detail.)

Vosotros preparabais los regalos para la boda con mucha ilusión. (You all were preparing the gifts for the wedding with great excitement.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Preparar (to prepare) 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.