The Imperfect Tense of Probarse is used to describe actions that were ongoing or repeated in the past, for example, Me probaba la ropa nueva en el vestidor. (I was trying on the new clothes in the fitting room.)

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

Conjugations

Conjugations of Probarse (to try on) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

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

To try on clothes or accessories: Por ejemplo, me probaba los pantalones en la tienda (I was trying on the pants in the store). This is one of the most common uses of this verb tense.

To test or sample food: Por ejemplo, probaba la sopa antes de servirla (I was tasting the soup before serving it).

To test or experiment: Por ejemplo, el científico probaba nuevos métodos en el laboratorio (the scientist was testing new methods in the lab).

Colloquially, to try one’s luck: Por ejemplo, probaba suerte en el casino (I was trying my luck at the casino).

Rude usage, to try to seduce someone: Por ejemplo, el tipo probaba conmigo en el bar (the guy was hitting on me at the bar).

Examples

Examples of Probarse in the Imperfect Tense

Yo me probaba la ropa antes de comprarla. (I used to try on clothes before buying them.)

Ella se probaba diferentes estilos de maquillaje para la fiesta. (She used to try on different makeup styles for the party.)

Nosotros nos probábamos los zapatos nuevos para ver si eran cómodos. (We used to try on the new shoes to see if they were comfortable.)

Ellos se probaban las gafas de sol en la tienda. (They used to try on sunglasses in the store.)

Tú te probabas diferentes peinados antes de salir. (You used to try on different hairstyles before going out.)

Él se probaba los trajes para la boda de su hermano. (He used to try on suits for his brother’s wedding.)

Ellas se probaban los vestidos de noche para el baile. (They used to try on evening dresses for the dance.)

Ustedes se probaban los sombreros en la tienda de artesanías. (You all used to try on hats in the craft store.)

Yo me probaba diferentes perfumes antes de comprar uno. (I used to try on different perfumes before buying one.)

Ella se probaba los anillos para ver cuál le quedaba mejor. (She used to try on rings to see which one looked better on her.)

Nosotros nos probábamos los disfraces para Halloween. (We used to try on costumes for Halloween.)

Ellos se probaban los trajes de baño en el vestuario. (They used to try on swimsuits in the changing room.)

Tú te probabas los lentes de contacto para ver si te molestaban. (You used to try on contact lenses to see if they bothered you.)

Él se probaba los guantes de boxeo antes de entrenar. (He used to try on boxing gloves before training.)

Ellas se probaban los vestidos de novia en la tienda. (They used to try on wedding dresses in the store.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Probarse (to try on) 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.