Trabajar: Imperfect Tense & Past Habits

When you delve into the intricacies of Spanish verb tenses, you discover that “trabajar” (to work) has rich variations in the imperfect tense, which is commonly used to describe habitual actions in the past; The action of gardening on the old farm was habitual for my father, he used to toil the land with weathered hands, each task reflecting his profound connection to nature; similarly, in the old factory, my grandfather dedicated his youth to the manufacturing assembly line, performing repetitive actions day after day; In the past, my family was dedicated to home improvement, the action of planning and executing many DIY projects in our old house was a testament to our resourcefulness and teamwork; In the evenings, my mother, a dedicated artist, used to sit by the window, the action of painting landscapes being her favorite pastime, capturing the serene beauty of the countryside.

Have you ever wanted to tell a story about your adventures in the garden, or those DIY home improvement projects that seemed to last forever? Well, buckle up, because we’re about to dive into the magic of the imperfect tense in Spanish! Think of it as the storyteller’s secret weapon for painting vivid pictures of the past.

So, what’s the imperfect tense all about? It’s that nifty little grammar tool that lets you describe actions that were habitual, repeated, or simply ongoing in the past. It’s not about one-time events; it’s about those things you used to do, would always do, or were in the middle of doing.

Now, imagine bringing those home improvement and gardening stories to life! Picture yourself saying, “I used to spend hours in my garden,” or “We were always painting something in the house.” See how much more vibrant that is than a simple past tense? That’s the power of the imperfect!

In this post, we’re going to zero in on one particular verb to show you how it all works: “trabajar,” which means “to work.” Get ready to see how “trabajar” in the imperfect tense can unlock a whole new level of storytelling about your past projects and passions!

The Imperfect Tense: A Quick Refresher

Alright, let’s get this straight! We’re diving headfirst into the imperfect tense, and don’t worry, it’s way less intimidating than it sounds. Think of it like this: the imperfect is your go-to when you want to talk about things you used to do, things that were ongoing, or just set the scene in the past. For our amigos who love home improvement, gardening, and DIY projects, this is a must-know to tell engaging stories and relatable moments from when you were working in the garden or fixing the house.

Now, let’s tackle those regular -ar verbs. Formation of imperfect tense: It’s like a simple dance, really. Take the verb’s infinitive (the basic form, like trabajar), chop off the -ar, and slap on these endings:

• Yo trabajaba
• Tú trabajabas
• Él/Ella/Usted trabajaba
• Nosotros/Nosotras trabajábamos
• Vosotros/Vosotras trabajabais
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes trabajaban

See? Easy peasy. So, for trabajar (to work), you get yo trabajaba (I used to work), tú trabajabas (you used to work), and so on.

Basic Examples

Before we jump into hammers and trowels, let’s get a feel for it with a few simple sentences:

• Yo trabajaba en una oficina antes de dedicarme al jardín. (I used to work in an office before dedicating myself to the garden.)
• Ella trabajaba como voluntaria en el refugio de animales. (She used to work as a volunteer at the animal shelter.)
• Nosotros trabajábamos muy duro en la escuela. (We used to work very hard at school.)

Imperfect vs. Preterite: Spot the Difference

Now, let’s clarify something super important: the difference between the imperfect and the preterite (another past tense). The preterite is for completed actions – things that started and finished at a specific point. The imperfect? It’s for ongoing, habitual, or descriptive situations in the past.

Think of it this way:

• Ayer trabajé en el jardín. (Yesterday, I worked in the garden.) – Preterite (One-time, completed action.)
• Cuando era niño, trabajaba en el jardín con mi abuelo. (When I was a child, I used to work in the garden with my grandfather.) – Imperfect (Habitual action over a period of time).

See the difference? One is a snapshot, the other is a movie scene. Now that we’ve got that down, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and see trabajaba in action!

Tools I Used to Use: “Trabajaba” with My Hands

Alright, let’s rummage through the tool shed of my memory, shall we? This section is all about those trusty tools that were practically extensions of my hands back in the day. We’re diving deep into the imperfect tense here, folks, using “trabajaba” (I used to work) to paint a picture of how these tools were part of my daily or regular routine. Think of it as a Spanish-language time machine, whisking us back to those home and garden projects that shaped my past!

I want you to imagine with me a workshop full of well-worn tools, each with a story to tell. Instead of just sitting there collecting dust, they were part of my life. So, grab your imaginary safety goggles and let’s get started! We’ll look at the name of each tool in both English and Spanish and craft a sentence using “trabajaba,” incorporating those handy frequency adverbs like “usualmente” (usually) or “a menudo” (often) to really nail that habitual action.

• Hammers (Martillos): Usualmente, yo trabajaba con un martillo para construir estantes en el garaje. (Usually, I used to work with a hammer to build shelves in the garage). I was always building something! Mostly shelves or trying to fix something else my kids broke, usually resulting in me having to call someone to fix it properly.
• Saws (Sierras): A menudo, trabajaba con una sierra para cortar madera para mis proyectos de jardinería. (Often, I used to work with a saw to cut wood for my gardening projects). Building raised garden beds was a constant task. I never really enjoyed sawing, so, eventually, I found a guy named Juan who did this for a small fee. He became a good friend!
• Drills (Taladros): Regularmente, trabajaba con un taladro para colgar cuadros y espejos en la casa. (Regularly, I used to work with a drill to hang pictures and mirrors in the house). My wife was constantly redecorating, so, the drill was a very important tool for me!
• Shovels (Palas): Todos los días, trabajaba con una pala para preparar la tierra para plantar flores. (Every day, I used to work with a shovel to prepare the soil for planting flowers). It was actually relaxing and great exercise!
• Trowels (Llantas de jardín): Usualmente, trabajaba con una llanta de jardín para plantar pequeñas plantas y hierbas. (Usually, I used to work with a trowel to plant small plants and herbs). Trowels made me feel like a proper gardener, even if my thumb was anything but green.
• Wheelbarrows (Carretillas): A menudo, trabajaba con una carretilla para transportar tierra y rocas en el jardín. (Often, I used to work with a wheelbarrow to transport soil and rocks in the garden). That wheelbarrow saw more action than my car!
• Lawnmowers (Cortacéspedes): Regularmente, trabajaba con un cortacésped para mantener el césped corto y ordenado. (Regularly, I used to work with a lawnmower to keep the lawn short and tidy). Mowing the lawn was my Saturday morning ritual.
• Gardening Forks (Horquillas de jardinería): Usualmente, trabajaba con una horquilla de jardinería para airear la tierra en mis macetas. (Usually, I used to work with a gardening fork to aerate the soil in my flowerpots). I always felt so professional aerating the soil, even though I secretly had no idea what I was doing.
• Pruning Shears (Tijeras de podar): A menudo, trabajaba con tijeras de podar para mantener mis rosales en forma. (Often, I used to work with pruning shears to keep my rose bushes in shape). Those rose bushes were my pride and joy, even though they scratched me more often than they bloomed.
• Measuring Tapes (Cintas métricas): Regularmente, trabajaba con una cinta métrica para asegurarme de que todo estuviera nivelado y recto. (Regularly, I used to work with a measuring tape to make sure everything was level and straight). I could never quite master the art of measuring, things were always a little crooked!
• Paintbrushes (Brochas): Usualmente, trabajaba con brochas para darle una nueva capa de pintura a las paredes. (Usually, I used to work with paintbrushes to give the walls a fresh coat of paint). Painting was my go-to way to freshen things up. I’d paint a room one color, then decide I hated it and repaint it a different color the next week.
• Screwdrivers (Destornilladores): A menudo, trabajaba con un destornillador para apretar tornillos sueltos en los muebles. (Often, I used to work with a screwdriver to tighten loose screws in the furniture). There was always a loose screw somewhere!

Each tool reminds me of different projects and various stages of my life. They all have a memory, I’m getting kind of emotional now! Next, let’s move on to the materials.

Materials I *Worked With*: “Trabajaba” and the Elements

Alright, amigos, after sweating it out with our trusty tools, let’s get down and dirty with the stuff we actually used to build and grow stuff. I’m talking about the very elements that turned our half-baked ideas into (sometimes) stunning realities. We’re still hanging out in the imperfect tense here, so remember we’re talking about the regular grind, the everyday stuff, the constant companions of our DIY adventures. “Trabajaba,” our faithful friend, is still here to guide us!

So grab your metaphorical gloves and let’s dig in!

• Wood (Madera)

  “Trabajaba con madera para construir estantes y mesas.” (I used to work with wood to build shelves and tables.)

  Ah, wood! The smell of freshly cut lumber… or maybe just the smell of sawdust clinging to my perpetually dusty jeans. Seriously, wood was my go-to. Whether it was crafting shelves to display my (ahem) impressive collection of garden gnomes or assembling a rickety table that somehow managed to hold up under the weight of a summer barbecue, I was always surrounded by madera.

• Soil (Tierra)

  “Trabajaba con la tierra en la primavera para preparar el jardín.” (I used to work with the soil in the spring to prepare the garden.)

  Oh, the joys of getting my hands covered in good ol’ tierra! Every spring, I’d be out there, wrestling with the earth, trying to convince it to yield its bounty. From breaking up clumps of stubborn clay to amending it with compost, I was practically on a first-name basis with every handful of soil in my garden. Let me tell you, my manicure never lasted long.

• Fertilizer (Fertilizante)

  “Regularmente, trabajaba con fertilizante para asegurar que mis plantas crecieran fuertes.” (Regularly, I used to work with fertilizer to ensure my plants grew strong.)

  Let’s be honest, fertilizer wasn’t exactly the most glamorous part of gardening, but it was crucial. I used to work with it regularly, carefully measuring and applying just the right amount to give my plants a fighting chance. Believe me, they needed it. Especially after I accidentally stepped on them.

• Seeds (Semillas)

  “Trabajaba con semillas con mucho cuidado, plantándolas una por una.” (I used to work with seeds very carefully, planting them one by one.)

  There’s something magical about seeds, isn’t there? Tiny little packages of potential, just waiting to burst forth into vibrant life. I used to work with them with the utmost care, gently tucking them into the earth, dreaming of the day when I’d be harvesting a bumper crop of tomatoes or sunflowers. (Okay, maybe not bumper. A modest crop. A single, impressive tomato, perhaps?)

• Plants (Plantas)

  “A menudo, trabajaba con plantas, trasplantándolas a macetas más grandes.” (Often, I used to work with plants, transplanting them to larger pots.)

  The green goodies! I was always moving them around – from seed trays to pots, from pots to the garden, from one spot in the garden to another because I changed my mind. “A menudo trabajaba con plantas”. It was like a never-ending game of horticultural Tetris, but I loved every minute of it.

• Paint (Pintura)

  “Usualmente, trabajaba con pintura para renovar los muebles viejos.” (Usually, I used to work with paint to renovate old furniture.)

  Ah, the transformative power of paint! I used to spend hours slathering it on everything from old chairs to garden fences, breathing new life into tired, forgotten objects. And I was sure to get it everywhere: in my hair, on my clothes, even on the dog once or twice. It’s not a real DIY project unless you get paint where it doesn’t belong, right?

• Nails (Clavos)

  “Trabajaba con clavos para fijar las tablas de madera.” (I used to work with nails to fix the wooden boards.)

  Clavos! Those little metal fasteners, that always bent over when you hit them the wrong way!

• Screws (Tornillos)

  “Para fijar los paneles de yeso, trabajaba con tornillos” (To fix drywall panels, I used to work with screws)

  And last but not least the beloved screws, always a little tricky but it’s a perfect addition.

Activities I Was Doing: “Trabajaba” in Action

Okay, time to get down and dirty and talk about what I actually did in the garden and around the house! This isn’t just about the tools or materials; it’s about being in the thick of it, you know? And that’s where “trabajaba” shines. It shows the ongoing nature of these activities, the sweat, the occasional near-misses with the hammer… good times! Let’s get into it.

• Building (Construyendo)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba construyendo un cobertizo en el jardín.” (I was working on building a shed in the yard).
  • Context: Ah, the shed. A monument to my ambition and slightly-less-than-perfect carpentry skills. I spent weeks out there, hammering away, occasionally hitting my thumb (that’s where the colorful language came in!), measuring (or trying to measure) everything twice. It was a labor of love (and a few curse words), but the satisfaction of finally having a place to store all my gardening tools? Priceless. I used to spend weekends out there just puttering around.

• Repairing (Reparando)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba reparando la cerca después de cada tormenta.” (I was working on repairing the fence after every storm).
  • Context: Living in my area means dealing with some pretty serious weather. So, inevitably, a fence post or two would succumb to the elements. I _was regularly out there fixing things. _It wasn’t always fun, but it was a necessary task. I remember one particularly *windy day trying to hold a fence post steady while simultaneously hammering* (a feat I don’t recommend attempting alone).

• Painting (Pintando)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba pintando las paredes de la casa cada primavera.” (I was working on painting the walls of the house every spring).
  • Context: Spring cleaning often meant a fresh coat of paint. I always hated the prep work – taping everything off, covering the furniture… but there’s something really satisfying about seeing a room transform with a new color. Plus, it was a great way to get some exercise. I’d be up and down the ladder all day long. It was a real workout.

• Planting (Plantando)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba plantando flores en el jardín delantero cada año.” (I was working on planting flowers in the front garden every year).
  • Context: This was the part I genuinely enjoyed. Digging in the dirt, getting my hands dirty, choosing the perfect flowers to brighten up the neighborhood – it was therapeutic. I would always spend hours carefully arranging the plants. I felt like I was an artist, but my canvas was my front yard.

• Weeding (Desmalezando)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba desmalezando el jardín todos los fines de semana.” (I was working on weeding the garden every weekend).
  • Context: Okay, this one wasn’t quite as therapeutic. But someone had to do it! Those pesky weeds seemed to grow faster than the actual plants I wanted. So every weekend, I’d be out there, pulling and tugging, trying to keep the garden looking presentable. This was where I learned a lot of colorful Spanish vocabulary.

• Mowing (Cortando el césped)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba cortando el césped todos los sábados por la mañana.” (I was working on mowing the lawn every Saturday morning).
  • Context: Another weekend ritual. The smell of freshly cut grass is nice, but the actual mowing? Not so much. I remember one time the lawnmower broke down halfway through. I ended up finishing the job with a pair of hedge trimmers. It was a long morning.

• Digging (Cavando)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba cavando hoyos para plantar árboles nuevos.” (I was working on digging holes to plant new trees).
  • Context: Tree planting was a big deal. I would usually spend an afternoon out back digging in the yard. It’s a hard labor. I always felt so tired after doing it.

• Cutting (Cortando)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba cortando leña para la chimenea en invierno.” (I was working on cutting firewood for the fireplace in winter).
  • Context: Winter was always firewood season. I always tried to have an ample supply. It took a lot of work to keep the fires burning.

• Hammering (Martillando)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba martillando clavos para arreglar el techo.” (I was working on hammering nails to fix the roof).
  • Context: My old roof leaked on occasion. Therefore, I was often out hammering nails to attempt to fix it. Sometimes I succeeded but other times it still leaked.

• Sawing (Aserrando)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba aserrando madera para construir muebles.” (I was working on sawing wood to build furniture).
  • Context: I often attempted projects where I cut wood. I remember the smell of sawdust still. It used to be a part of my weekends and I enjoyed it as I took breaks.

• Landscaping (Diseñando el jardín)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba diseñando el jardín para que fuera un lugar hermoso.” (I was working on designing the garden to be a beautiful place.)
  • Context: I always tried to figure out the best way to make my garden a great and beautiful place. I worked hard on this. I spent hours designing what to plant and where.

• Tilling (Labrando la tierra)

  • Imperfect Sentence: “Trabajaba labrando la tierra para preparar el jardín para plantar.” (I was working on tilling the soil to prepare the garden for planting.)
  • Context: The garden needed to be tilled for planting. I always made sure to do this, I was always happy to see my garden grow and expand.

Locations Where I Worked: “Trabajaba” in My Spaces

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, shall we? Think about all the places where the magic happened – where those home improvement dreams became a reality (or at least, sort of became a reality!). This section is all about the spaces that witnessed your sweat, your triumphs, and maybe a few colorful curse words along the way. The imperfect tense, with our trusty verb “trabajaba”, is perfect for painting a picture of your daily life in these beloved locations. Ready to revisit your old haunts?

Garden (Jardín)

“Trabajaba en el jardín todos los días, cuidando las flores y los vegetales.” (I used to work in the garden every day, taking care of the flowers and vegetables.)

Ah, the garden. My sanctuary, my happy place, my nemesis (depending on the day and the weeds!). I remember spending countless hours in the jardín, often from sunrise ’til sunset. The jardín was where I planted seeds with the hope of a bountiful harvest, pruned roses with the precision of a surgeon (okay, maybe not that precise), and battled against slugs with the tenacity of a seasoned warrior.

Specific activities:
* Watering the plants.
* Pulling weeds.
* Planting new flowers and vegetables.
* Fertilizing the soil.
* Harvesting vegetables and fruits.

Yard (Patio/Jardín)

“Trabajaba en el patio a menudo, cortando el césped y arreglando los arbustos.” (I used to work in the yard often, mowing the lawn and trimming the bushes.)

The yard, or patio, was another stage for my home improvement adventures. Unlike the jardín‘s cultivated chaos, the patio required a more…structured approach. I would mow the lawn with the unwavering determination of a groundskeeper (even if the results were less than professional). Trimming bushes was another regular task, sculpting them into…well, vaguely bush-like shapes.

Specific activities:
* Mowing the lawn.
* Trimming bushes and hedges.
* Raking leaves.
* Sweeping the patio.
* Setting up outdoor furniture.

Workshop (Taller)

“Usualmente trabajaba en el taller, construyendo muebles y reparando cosas.” (Usually, I used to work in the workshop, building furniture and repairing things.)

The workshop, my domain of sawdust and spare parts! This taller was my creative laboratory, where I built rickety shelves, repaired wobbly tables, and generally tinkered with anything that needed fixing (or, let’s be honest, anything I thought needed fixing). The taller always smelled of wood and possibility.

Specific activities:

• Building furniture.
• Repairing tools and equipment.
• Working on woodworking projects.
• Storing tools and materials.
• Sharpening tools.

Garage (Garaje)

“Regularmente trabajaba en el garaje limpiando y organizando las herramientas.” (I regularly worked in the garage cleaning and organizing the tools.)

Ah, the garage: the catch-all for everything that didn’t have a home inside the house. It was more organized with each item, until it went back to chaos once I started my projects, and cleaning, tidying, and organizing the tools and equipment became a ritual. Sometimes, I’d even attempt to fix the car (with varying degrees of success!).

Specific Activities:

• Organizing tools and equipment.
• Cleaning and maintaining vehicles.
• Working on car repairs.
• Storing seasonal items.
• Setting up a workbench for projects.

Home (Casa)

“En casa, trabajaba pintando las paredes y decorando los espacios.” (At home, I used to work painting the walls and decorating the spaces.)

And finally, our casa, the hub of everything! The casa saw it all, from repainting the living room (again!) to hanging pictures (slightly crooked, but with love!). I pained walls and decorated all the spaces, putting some personality and flavor into it! My home was in constant flux, always improving (in my eyes, at least!).

Specific activities:

• Painting walls and ceilings.
• Decorating rooms.
• Installing shelves and fixtures.
• Organizing and decluttering.
• Minor repairs and maintenance.

So there you have it, a tour of the locations where “trabajaba” brought my home improvement and gardening visions to life. Each space holds its own memories, smells, and stories and really helps paint a picture of what was. What are some places you were “trabajando”?

Skills I Used to Employ: “Trabajaba” with Expertise

It wasn’t all sweat and dirt, you know! Well, okay, a lot of it was. But there was skill involved too! We weren’t just hacking away at things, were we? (Okay, sometimes we were.) Seriously though, let’s talk about some of the knowledge and know-how that went into these home and garden projects. It wasn’t just brute force! I used to put real thought (and research!) into what I was doing, and “trabajaba” really captures that aspect of applying expertise over time.

Let’s dive into some skills!

Gardening Techniques (Técnicas de jardinería)

“Trabajaba con técnicas de jardinería, como la poda y el abono.” (I used to work with gardening techniques, like pruning and fertilizing).

Ah, gardening…more than just sticking a seed in the ground and hoping for the best (though I’ve definitely done plenty of that too!). I mean I used to prune my roses just so, carefully snipping away to encourage the perfect bloom. And fertilizing? Don’t even get me started on the delicate balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium! I’d spend hours researching the best amendments for my soil, and what NPK ratio worked for my crop. I was always trying to improve my skills and yield and using “trabajaba” brings me right back to the sun-drenched garden! It’s all about the love, knowledge and passion for the plant.

Painting Techniques (Técnicas de pintura)

“Trabajaba con técnicas de pintura, como la preparación de la superficie y la aplicación de múltiples capas.” (I used to work with painting techniques, like surface preparation and applying multiple coats).

Painting – a task that seems simple, but can quickly turn into a disaster without the right skills. Back in the day, I worked with painting techniques, diligently prepping surfaces to ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish. This involved hours of sanding, filling holes, and applying primer, which seemed tedious at the time, but was essential for a professional look. I also applied multiple coats to ensure an even color distribution, carefully layering each coat.

Time Spent: “Trabajaba” and the Passage of Time

Alright, let’s talk about time – because, honestly, where does it go when you’re elbow-deep in dirt or covered in paint? The imperfect tense and some trusty time phrases are your best buddies for painting that picture. It’s not just what you did, but when and how often. So, let’s get into it!

• Every Day (Todos los días)

  • Todos los días trabajaba en el jardín, regando las plantas y quitando las malas hierbas. (Every day I used to work in the garden, watering the plants and pulling weeds.)

  • Back when I had more energy (read: before kids!), my garden was my happy place. Todos los días, without fail, you’d find me out there. I’d be watering my prized tomatoes, or waging war against those sneaky weeds. Rain or shine, that garden got my daily love.

• Often (A menudo)

  • A menudo trabajaba hasta tarde en el taller, construyendo muebles para la casa. (Often I used to work late in the workshop, building furniture for the house.)

  • “Honey, where are you?” “Just in the workshop!” Sound familiar? A menudo, after dinner, I’d sneak away to my workshop. The hum of the saw, the smell of sawdust… pure bliss! I often lost track of time building whatever struck my fancy. I’d be covered in wood dust, completely oblivious to the clock.

• Usually (Usualmente)

  • Usualmente trabajaba los fines de semana en proyectos de renovación. (Usually, I used to work on renovation projects on the weekends.)

  • Weekends were usually (Usualmente) renovation time. Forget sleeping in! Trabajaba, trying to make our house a home. I would be painting the living room a calming blue (it’s now bright yellow… long story), or attempting to install that fancy new light fixture that I was sure I could do myself.

• Regularly (Regularmente)

  • Regularmente trabajaba en la huerta, plantando nuevas verduras. (Regularly, I used to work in the vegetable garden, planting new vegetables.)

  • The veggie patch needed constant attention. Regularmente, I’d be out there. Planting the new crop, getting my hands dirty, making plans for my future harvest.

• During the Summer (Durante el verano)

  • Durante el verano trabajaba largas horas en el jardín, disfrutando del sol. (During the summer, I used to work long hours in the garden, enjoying the sun.)

  • Ah, summer! When the days are long and the mosquitoes are out in force. Durante el verano, I trabajaba those long hours soaking up the sun. I would be sweaty, sunburned, and probably covered in dirt, but oh so happy! There’s nothing like the feeling of a summer evening, admiring what you’ve accomplished.

• When I Was Younger (Cuando era joven)

  • Cuando era joven trabajaba con mi abuelo en su carpintería. (When I was younger, I used to work with my grandfather in his carpentry shop.)

  • This one’s a bit nostalgic! Cuando era joven, my grandpa’s carpentry shop was my playground. I trabajaba as his somewhat clumsy assistant, learning the tricks of the trade. More often than not, I would be hitting my thumb with the hammer (sorry grandpa!).

• For Hours (Por horas)

  • Por horas trabajaba en la restauración de muebles antiguos. (For hours, I used to work on restoring antique furniture.)

  • Some projects just suck you in, right? I’d lose myself por horas sanding, staining, and bringing old furniture back to life. It’s a slow, meticulous process, and I had a great time doing that.

Emotions and Feelings: “Trabajaba” and My State of Mind

Let’s be honest, home improvement and gardening aren’t always glamorous. There were definitely days when I was more “fueled by caffeine and stubbornness” than “Martha Stewart chic.” The imperfect tense really helps capture those feelings, doesn’t it? It wasn’t just what I was doing, but how I felt while I was doing it.

• Tiredness (Cansancio)

  • “Trabajaba por horas y sentía cansancio al final del día.” (I used to work for hours and feel tiredness at the end of the day.)
  • Context: Picture this: the sun is setting, your back is aching, you’re covered in dirt, and you still have half the garden to weed. Yeah, that’s when the cansancio really kicked in. A well-deserved tiredness, but tiredness nonetheless!

• Satisfaction (Satisfacción)

  • “Siempre sentía satisfacción cuando veía el jardín florecer después de tanto que trabajaba.” (I always felt satisfaction when I saw the garden blooming after working so hard.)
  • Context: Okay, now we’re talking! This is the good stuff. That feeling of satisfacción when you finally finish a project and it looks amazing? Pure bliss. Seeing those flowers bloom, or that freshly painted room? That’s what kept me going, even when I was covered in tierra and questioning my life choices.

• Enjoyment (Disfrute)

  • “Generalmente, sentía disfrute al aire libre mientras trabajaba en mi jardín.” (Usually, I felt enjoyment being outdoors while working in my garden.)
  • Context: There were definitely days when pulling weeds felt like therapy. The sun on my skin, the smell of the earth, the birds singing… Okay, maybe I’m romanticizing it a little. But there was a definite sense of disfrute in being outside, connecting with nature, and making something beautiful.

• Pride (Orgullo)

  • “Sentía orgullo cuando mis amigos elogiaban mi trabajo en la casa.” (I felt pride when my friends praised my work on the house.)
  • Context: Nothing beats the feeling of showing off your hard work and hearing, “Wow, you did that?” That’s when the orgullo swelled. It was a tangible reminder of all the sweat, effort, and maybe a few tears (mostly from hammering my thumb).

• Exhaustion (Agotamiento)

  • “Después de un día entero construyendo la terraza, sentía agotamiento total.” (After a whole day building the terrace, I felt total exhaustion.)
  • Context: Building a terrace is no joke! There were days I could barely lift a finger after all that work. Agotamiento is definitely the right word. But hey, at least I had a new terrace to collapse on!

• Contentment (Contentamiento)

  • “Por lo general, sentía contentamiento mientras trabajaba en proyectos creativos en mi hogar.” (I generally felt contentment while working on creative projects in my home.)
  • Context: More than anything, I felt a sense of contentamiento. Being able to create, to fix, to build… it filled me with a quiet sense of accomplishment and peace. It’s hard to explain, but it’s that feeling of being truly present and engaged in something meaningful.

So, there you have it! Hopefully, you now have a better handle on how to use “trabajar” in the imperfect tense. It might seem a little tricky at first, but with practice, you’ll be describing your past work experiences like a pro in no time. ¡Buena suerte!