to be (identity, traits)
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Soy de Santiago de Cuba, pero vivo en Miami.
I'm from Santiago de Cuba, but I live in Miami.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
La fiesta fue increíble.
The party was incredible.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Éramos muy felices en aquel barrio.
We were very happy in that neighborhood.
Futuro · What will happen
Mis hijos serán médicos algún día.
My children will be doctors someday.
Condicional · What would happen
Sería mejor salir temprano para evitar el tráfico.
It would be better to leave early to avoid the traffic.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
Este año ha sido muy difícil para mi familia.
This year has been very hard for my family.
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Antes de mudarme, había sido maestra en Camagüey.
Before moving, I had been a teacher in Camagüey.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para diciembre, habrá sido un año muy largo.
By December, it will have been a very long year.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Sin tu ayuda, habría sido imposible terminar.
Without your help, it would have been impossible to finish.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Espero que seas feliz en tu nuevo trabajo.
I hope you're happy in your new job.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Si yo fuera tú, hablaría con ella hoy.
If I were you, I'd talk to her today.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Me habló como si fuese un niño.
He spoke to me as if I were a child.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
No creo que haya sido fácil para ella.
I don't think it has been easy for her.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Ojalá hubiera sido diferente.
I wish it had been different.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Sé paciente con tu hermano.
Be patient with your brother.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
No seas tan duro contigo mismo.
Don't be so hard on yourself.