1.3.1. Uses of the imperfect

In general, you use the imperfect to:

1. Describe past habits:

Quando ero piccola, andavo sempre in vacanza al mare.

When I was little, I used to always go to the beach for vacation.

1. Describe characteristics of people or of places in the past:

La mia mamma  da giovane era magra e sportiva, aveva lunghi capelli neri.

When my mom was young, she was thin and athletic, and she had long black hair.

1. Describe emotions and perceptions in the past:

Ieri ero triste perché è partito il mio ragazzo.

I was sad yesterday because my boyfriend left.

Ieri avevo mal di denti.

Yesterday I had a toothache.

1. Describe simultaneous actions in the past.

Mentre studiavo, Gianni ascoltava Mozart.

While I was studying, Gianni was listening to Mozart.

1. Describe weather and time-of-day in the past:

Ieri faceva molto caldo.

Yesterday it was very hot.

Erano le dieci;  era mezzanotte

It was ten o’clock; it was midnight

1. Describe someone’s age in the past

Nel 1967 mio padre aveva 15 anni

In 1967 my father was 15.