The Imperfect Tense of Respetar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Yo respetaba las reglas de la casa. (I used to respect the house rules.)

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

Conjugations

Conjugations of Respetar (to respect) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

The imperfect tense of respetar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, as well as descriptions and states of being.

To respect, show respect: Por ejemplo, Yo respetaba a mis padres cuando era niño. (I respected my parents when I was a child.) This can also mean to obey or follow rules, as in Respetábamos las reglas del juego. (We respected/followed the rules of the game.)

To admire, esteem: For example, Respetaba mucho a mi profesor de matemáticas. (I greatly respected/admired my math teacher.) This meaning implies a sense of reverence or high regard.

To preserve, maintain (a state): As in El equipo respetaba su ventaja en el marcador. (The team preserved/maintained their lead on the scoreboard.)

To spare, avoid disturbing (colloquial): For example, Respetábamos la siesta y no hacíamos ruido. (We respected/didn’t disturb the afternoon nap time and didn’t make noise.) This usage implies not interfering with something.

To fear, be afraid of (slang, rude): In some contexts, it can mean Le respetaba al jefe porque era muy estricto. (I was afraid of/respected the boss because he was very strict.) This slang usage implies fear or intimidation rather than genuine respect.

Examples

Examples of Respetar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo respetaba las reglas de la casa cuando vivía con mis padres. (I used to respect the house rules when I lived with my parents.)

Ellos respetaban la privacidad de los demás y no hacían preguntas indiscretas. (They used to respect others’ privacy and didn’t ask indiscreet questions.)

Aunque no estaba de acuerdo con algunas tradiciones, respetaba las costumbres de la región. (Even though I didn’t agree with some traditions, I used to respect the customs of the region.)

En la oficina, respetábamos el horario de trabajo establecido. (At the office, we used to respect the established work schedule.)

Cuando era niño, respetaba a mis mayores y les obedecía. (When I was a child, I used to respect my elders and obey them.)

Ella respetaba el medio ambiente y siempre reciclaba. (She used to respect the environment and always recycled.)

En esa época, la gente respetaba mucho las jerarquías sociales. (Back then, people used to respect social hierarchies a lot.)

Aunque no compartía sus creencias, respetaba la religión de mis amigos. (Even though I didn’t share their beliefs, I used to respect my friends’ religion.)

Mis compañeros de trabajo respetaban mi espacio personal y no invadían mi privacidad. (My coworkers used to respect my personal space and didn’t invade my privacy.)

En la escuela, respetábamos a los profesores y seguíamos sus instrucciones. (At school, we used to respect the teachers and follow their instructions.)

Aunque no me gustaba su música, respetaba el talento de ese artista. (Even though I didn’t like their music, I used to respect that artist’s talent.)

Mis abuelos respetaban mucho las tradiciones familiares. (My grandparents used to respect family traditions a lot.)

Cuando viajaba, respetaba las costumbres locales para no ofender a nadie. (When I traveled, I used to respect local customs so as not to offend anyone.)

En esa empresa, respetábamos la jerarquía y seguíamos las órdenes de nuestros superiores. (At that company, we used to respect the hierarchy and follow orders from our superiors.)

Aunque no estaba de acuerdo con algunas reglas, respetaba las normas de la comunidad. (Even though I didn’t agree with some rules, I used to respect the community’s norms.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Respetar (to respect) 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.