Mastering “We Arrived” in Spanish Past Tense

Understanding how to express “we arrived” in Spanish past tense is crucial for anyone learning the language. The past tense in Spanish, particularly the preterite and imperfect, can be tricky for English speakers. This article provides a comprehensive guide to conjugating the verb “llegar” (to arrive) in various past tenses, along with numerous examples and practical exercises. Mastering this will help you narrate past events accurately and confidently in Spanish. This guide is beneficial for beginner to advanced Spanish learners, students, travelers, and anyone who wants to improve their Spanish grammar skills.

This article will cover the preterite, imperfect, and other past tenses used to express “we arrived,” providing detailed explanations, examples, and practice exercises to solidify your understanding. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently use the correct tense to describe past arrivals in various contexts.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of “Llegar” and Past Tenses
3. Structural Breakdown of Past Tense Conjugations
4. Types of Past Tense for “We Arrived”
   • Preterite Tense (Llegamos)
   • Imperfect Tense (Llegábamos)
   • Perfect Tense (Hemos Llegado)
   • Pluperfect Tense (Habíamos Llegado)
   • Conditional Perfect Tense (Habríamos Llegado)
5. Examples of “We Arrived” in Different Tenses
6. Usage Rules for Each Tense
7. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics: Nuances of Past Tense
10. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
11. Conclusion

Definition of “Llegar” and Past Tenses

The Spanish verb llegar means “to arrive” or “to reach.” It’s a regular -ar verb, which makes its conjugation relatively straightforward. However, when expressing “we arrived,” the choice of past tense depends on the context and the nuance you want to convey. The main past tenses used are the preterite, imperfect, perfect, pluperfect, and conditional perfect. Each tense paints a slightly different picture of the past event.

Preterite (pretérito indefinido): This tense describes completed actions in the past. It’s used for events that started and ended at a specific point in time. For “we arrived,” the preterite form is llegamos.

Imperfect (pretérito imperfecto): This tense describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past. It’s used for setting the scene, describing what was happening, or expressing repeated actions. For “we arrived” (in the sense of “we used to arrive”), the imperfect form is llegábamos.

Perfect (pretérito perfecto compuesto): This tense describes actions that have been completed recently or have relevance to the present. It’s formed with the auxiliary verb haber (to have) and the past participle. For “we arrived,” the perfect form is hemos llegado.

Pluperfect (pretérito pluscuamperfecto): This tense describes actions that were completed before another action in the past. It’s also formed with the auxiliary verb haber in the imperfect tense and the past participle. For “we arrived,” the pluperfect form is habíamos llegado.

Conditional Perfect (condicional compuesto): This tense expresses what would have happened if a certain condition had been met in the past. For “we arrived,” the conditional perfect form is habríamos llegado.

Structural Breakdown of Past Tense Conjugations

Understanding the structure of Spanish verb conjugations is essential for mastering the past tenses. Each tense has a specific pattern, and knowing these patterns will help you conjugate verbs correctly. Let’s break down the structure of each relevant past tense for the verb llegar.

Preterite (Llegamos): The preterite tense of llegar for “we” (nosotros/nosotras) is llegamos. This is a relatively straightforward conjugation for regular -ar verbs.

Imperfect (Llegábamos): The imperfect tense for llegar is formed by adding the imperfect ending to the stem of the verb. The stem is lleg-. For “we” (nosotros/nosotras), the imperfect ending is -ábamos. Thus, the imperfect form is llegábamos.

Perfect (Hemos Llegado): The perfect tense is a compound tense, meaning it uses an auxiliary verb (haber) and the past participle of the main verb (llegar). The conjugation of haber for “we” (nosotros/nosotras) is hemos. The past participle of llegar is llegado. Therefore, the perfect form is hemos llegado.

Pluperfect (Habíamos Llegado): The pluperfect tense is also a compound tense, using the imperfect form of haber and the past participle of the main verb. The imperfect form of haber for “we” (nosotros/nosotras) is habíamos. The past participle of llegar remains llegado. So, the pluperfect form is habíamos llegado.

Conditional Perfect (Habríamos Llegado): The conditional perfect tense uses the conditional form of haber and the past participle of the main verb. The conditional form of haber for “we” (nosotros/nosotras) is habríamos. The past participle of llegar is still llegado. Hence, the conditional perfect form is habríamos llegado.

Types of Past Tense for “We Arrived”

As mentioned earlier, Spanish offers several past tenses, each with its unique purpose. Understanding when to use each tense will dramatically improve your fluency and accuracy. The following sections detail the specific usage of each tense when expressing “we arrived.”

Preterite Tense (Llegamos)

The preterite tense is used for completed actions in the past with a clear beginning and end. It’s ideal for narrating specific events that happened at a particular time. When using llegamos, you’re stating that the act of arriving is finished and occurred at a defined moment.

Examples:

• Llegamos a la estación a las ocho. (We arrived at the station at eight o’clock.)
• Llegamos a casa después del trabajo. (We arrived home after work.)
• Llegamos a la fiesta y bailamos toda la noche. (We arrived at the party and danced all night.)

Imperfect Tense (Llegábamos)

The imperfect tense is used for ongoing actions, habitual actions, or descriptions in the past. It doesn’t focus on the completion of the action but rather on its duration or frequency. When using llegábamos, you’re implying a repeated or continuous arrival in the past, or describing a state of affairs.

Examples:

• Llegábamos tarde a la escuela todos los días. (We used to arrive late to school every day.)
• Cuando éramos niños, llegábamos siempre emocionados a la playa. (When we were children, we always arrived excited at the beach.)
• Llegábamos cuando el sol se ponía. (We were arriving when the sun was setting.)

Perfect Tense (Hemos Llegado)

The perfect tense connects the past to the present. It’s used for actions that have been completed recently or have a present-day relevance. When using hemos llegado, you’re emphasizing that the arrival has just happened or has a current impact.

Examples:

• Hemos llegado hace cinco minutos. (We arrived five minutes ago.)
• ¡Hemos llegado! Ya podemos descansar. (We have arrived! Now we can rest.)
• Hemos llegado a un acuerdo. (We have reached an agreement.)

Pluperfect Tense (Habíamos Llegado)

The pluperfect tense describes an action that was completed before another action in the past. It’s used to establish a sequence of events, indicating that one arrival preceded another event that also occurred in the past. When using habíamos llegado, you’re emphasizing that the arrival happened before something else.

Examples:

• Cuando llegaste, ya habíamos llegado nosotros. (When you arrived, we had already arrived.)
• Habíamos llegado al hotel antes de que empezara a llover. (We had arrived at the hotel before it started to rain.)
• Habíamos llegado a la cima de la montaña y luego celebramos. (We had arrived at the top of the mountain and then we celebrated.)

Conditional Perfect Tense (Habríamos Llegado)

The conditional perfect tense expresses what would have happened if a certain condition had been met in the past. It’s often used to express regret or speculation about past events. When using habríamos llegado, you’re indicating that the arrival was conditional on something else happening.

Examples:

• Si hubiéramos salido antes, habríamos llegado a tiempo. (If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on time.)
• Habríamos llegado a la reunión si no hubiera habido tráfico. (We would have arrived at the meeting if there hadn’t been traffic.)
• Habríamos llegado a un acuerdo si hubiéramos tenido más tiempo. (We would have arrived at an agreement if we had had more time.)

Examples of “We Arrived” in Different Tenses

To further illustrate the usage of each tense, let’s look at more examples in various contexts. The tables below provide a comprehensive overview.

Table 1: Preterite Tense (Llegamos) Examples

This table showcases various sentences using the preterite tense, emphasizing completed actions at a specific time in the past. Each example provides a clear context for the use of llegamos.

Sentence	Translation
Llegamos a Madrid ayer por la noche.	We arrived in Madrid last night.
Llegamos al aeropuerto justo a tiempo.	We arrived at the airport just in time.
Llegamos a la conclusión de que era la mejor opción.	We came to the conclusion that it was the best option.
Llegamos a un acuerdo después de muchas negociaciones.	We reached an agreement after many negotiations.
Llegamos a la cima de la montaña exhaustos.	We arrived at the top of the mountain exhausted.
Llegamos a la ciudad y fuimos directamente al hotel.	We arrived in the city and went straight to the hotel.
Llegamos a la playa al amanecer.	We arrived at the beach at dawn.
Llegamos a la oficina antes que nadie.	We arrived at the office before anyone else.
Llegamos a la fiesta y nos divertimos mucho.	We arrived at the party and had a lot of fun.
Llegamos a la casa de nuestros abuelos para Navidad.	We arrived at our grandparents’ house for Christmas.
Llegamos al concierto con mucha emoción.	We arrived at the concert with great excitement.
Llegamos a la meta después de mucho esfuerzo.	We arrived at the finish line after a lot of effort.
Llegamos a casa y nos pusimos a descansar.	We arrived home and started to rest.
Llegamos al restaurante a tiempo para la reservación.	We arrived at the restaurant on time for the reservation.
Llegamos a entender la situación después de hablar con todos.	We came to understand the situation after talking to everyone.
Llegamos a pensar que era imposible.	We came to think it was impossible.
Llegamos a saber la verdad al final.	We came to know the truth in the end.
Llegamos a ser buenos amigos con el tiempo.	We became good friends over time.
Llegamos a creer en su historia.	We came to believe in his story.
Llegamos a dudar de su palabra.	We came to doubt his word.
Llegamos a necesitar su ayuda.	We came to need his help.
Llegamos a sentir su dolor.	We came to feel his pain.
Llegamos a comprender la importancia de su decisión.	We came to understand the importance of his decision.
Llegamos a ver el problema desde otra perspectiva.	We came to see the problem from another perspective.
Llegamos a la conclusión final.	We reached the final conclusion.
Llegamos a un punto crítico en la negociación.	We reached a critical point in the negotiation.
Llegamos a nuestro destino sin problemas.	We arrived at our destination without problems.
Llegamos a la ciudad en tren.	We arrived in the city by train.

Table 2: Imperfect Tense (Llegábamos) Examples

This table illustrates the use of the imperfect tense, highlighting repeated actions or descriptions in the past. The examples demonstrate how llegábamos is used to describe habitual arrivals or ongoing situations.

Sentence	Translation
Llegábamos siempre temprano a clase.	We always arrived early to class.
Llegábamos a casa cansados después del trabajo.	We used to arrive home tired after work.
Llegábamos a la playa todos los veranos.	We used to arrive at the beach every summer.
Llegábamos cuando el programa ya había empezado.	We were arriving when the program had already started.
Llegábamos a creer que nunca lo lograríamos.	We were beginning to believe we would never achieve it.
Llegábamos a un punto en que ya no podíamos más.	We were reaching a point where we couldn’t take it anymore.
Llegábamos a la estación y siempre había mucha gente.	We used to arrive at the station and there were always many people.
Llegábamos a casa justo a tiempo para la cena.	We used to arrive home just in time for dinner.
Llegábamos a la conclusión de que era la mejor opción.	We were coming to the conclusion that it was the best option.
Llegábamos a un acuerdo fácilmente en esos días.	We used to reach an agreement easily in those days.
Llegábamos a la cima de la montaña con dificultad.	We used to arrive at the top of the mountain with difficulty.
Llegábamos a la ciudad y siempre visitábamos el museo.	We used to arrive in the city and always visit the museum.
Llegábamos a la playa y nos poníamos a nadar.	We used to arrive at the beach and start swimming.
Llegábamos a la oficina y comenzábamos a trabajar.	We used to arrive at the office and start working.
Llegábamos a la fiesta y nos saludábamos con todos.	We used to arrive at the party and greet everyone.
Llegábamos a la casa de nuestros abuelos y corríamos a abrazarlos.	We used to arrive at our grandparents’ house and run to hug them.
Llegábamos al concierto y la música ya estaba sonando.	We used to arrive at the concert and the music was already playing.
Llegábamos a la meta y nos sentíamos orgullosos.	We used to arrive at the finish line and feel proud.
Llegábamos a casa y nos relajábamos frente al televisor.	We used to arrive home and relax in front of the television.
Llegábamos al restaurante y nos sentábamos en nuestra mesa favorita.	We used to arrive at the restaurant and sit at our favorite table.
Llegábamos a ser los mejores en nuestro campo.	We were becoming the best in our field.
Llegábamos a sentirnos como en casa en ese lugar.	We were beginning to feel at home in that place.
Llegábamos a pensar que era posible.	We were beginning to think it was possible.
Llegábamos a saber los secretos de la ciudad.	We were coming to know the secrets of the city.
Llegábamos a ver la belleza en las cosas simples.	We were coming to see the beauty in simple things.
Llegábamos a comprender la complejidad del mundo.	We were coming to understand the complexity of the world.
Llegábamos a un punto de no retorno.	We were reaching a point of no return.
Llegábamos a la conclusión después de mucho tiempo.	We were reaching the conclusion after a long time.

Table 3: Perfect Tense (Hemos Llegado) Examples

This table provides examples of the perfect tense, emphasizing the connection between a past action and the present. The sentences demonstrate how hemos llegado is used to convey recent arrivals or arrivals with current relevance.

Sentence	Translation
Hemos llegado a tiempo para la reunión.	We have arrived on time for the meeting.
Hemos llegado a un acuerdo con el cliente.	We have reached an agreement with the client.
¡Hemos llegado a la meta!	We have reached the goal!
Hemos llegado a la conclusión de que debemos cambiar la estrategia.	We have come to the conclusion that we must change the strategy.
Hemos llegado a conocer a gente muy interesante.	We have come to know very interesting people.
Hemos llegado a entender la importancia de este proyecto.	We have come to understand the importance of this project.
Hemos llegado a la cima de la montaña después de mucho esfuerzo.	We have reached the top of the mountain after a lot of effort.
Hemos llegado a un punto crítico en la negociación.	We have reached a critical point in the negotiation.
Hemos llegado a nuestro destino sanos y salvos.	We have arrived at our destination safe and sound.
Hemos llegado a creer que todo es posible.	We have come to believe that everything is possible.
Hemos llegado a dudar de su sinceridad.	We have come to doubt his sincerity.
Hemos llegado a necesitar más ayuda de la que pensábamos.	We have come to need more help than we thought.
Hemos llegado a sentirnos muy orgullosos de nuestro trabajo.	We have come to feel very proud of our work.
Hemos llegado a ver el mundo de una manera diferente.	We have come to see the world in a different way.
Hemos llegado a comprender la complejidad de la vida.	We have come to understand the complexity of life.
Hemos llegado a un nivel de entendimiento mutuo.	We have reached a level of mutual understanding.
Hemos llegado a la ciudad y ya estamos listos para explorar.	We have arrived in the city and we are ready to explore.
Hemos llegado a la playa y el agua está hermosa.	We have arrived at the beach and the water is beautiful.
Hemos llegado a la oficina y ya estamos trabajando.	We have arrived at the office and we are already working.
Hemos llegado a la fiesta y la música está genial.	We have arrived at the party and the music is great.
Hemos llegado a la casa de nuestros abuelos y estamos felices de verlos.	We have arrived at our grandparents’ house and we are happy to see them.
Hemos llegado al concierto y estamos emocionados de escuchar la banda.	We have arrived at the concert and we are excited to hear the band.
Hemos llegado a casa y estamos listos para descansar.	We have arrived home and we are ready to rest.
Hemos llegado al restaurante y estamos listos para comer.	We have arrived at the restaurant and we are ready to eat.
Hemos llegado a ser una familia muy unida.	We have become a very close-knit family.
Hemos llegado a sentirnos parte de esta comunidad.	We have come to feel part of this community.
Hemos llegado a pensar que todo es posible con esfuerzo.	We have come to think that everything is possible with effort.
Hemos llegado a saber que la verdad siempre sale a la luz.	We have come to know that the truth always comes to light.

Table 4: Pluperfect Tense (Habíamos Llegado) Examples

This table presents examples using the pluperfect tense, which describes actions completed before another past action. The examples demonstrate how habíamos llegado establishes a sequence of past events.

Sentence	Translation
Ya habíamos llegado cuando empezó a llover.	We had already arrived when it started to rain.
Habíamos llegado al hotel antes de que llegaran ellos.	We had arrived at the hotel before they arrived.
Habíamos llegado a la conclusión mucho antes de la reunión.	We had reached the conclusion long before the meeting.
Habíamos llegado a conocer la ciudad antes de mudarnos aquí.	We had come to know the city before moving here.
Habíamos llegado a entender el problema antes de que nos lo explicaran.	We had come to understand the problem before they explained it to us.
Habíamos llegado a la cima antes de que las nubes nos cubrieran.	We had reached the summit before the clouds covered us.
Habíamos llegado a un acuerdo antes de que surgieran nuevas complicaciones.	We had reached an agreement before new complications arose.
Habíamos llegado a nuestro destino y estábamos muy cansados.	We had arrived at our destination and we were very tired.
Ya habíamos llegado a creer en él cuando nos demostró lo contrario.	We had already come to believe in him when he proved us wrong.
Habíamos llegado a dudar de su palabra antes de que nos diera pruebas.	We had come to doubt his word before he gave us proof.
Habíamos llegado a necesitar ayuda, pero no sabíamos a quién recurrir.	We had come to need help, but we didn’t know who to turn to.
Habíamos llegado a sentirnos como en casa, pero tuvimos que mudarnos.	We had come to feel at home, but we had to move.
Habíamos llegado a ver la belleza del lugar antes de que lo destruyeran.	We had come to see the beauty of the place before they destroyed it.
Habíamos llegado a comprender la importancia de su trabajo antes de que lo despidieran.	We had come to understand the importance of his work before they fired him.
Habíamos llegado a un punto en el que no podíamos seguir adelante.	We had reached a point where we could not move forward.
Habíamos llegado a la ciudad y ya habíamos explorado todos los rincones.	We had arrived in the city and we had already explored every corner.
Habíamos llegado a la playa y ya nos habíamos bañado en el mar.	We had arrived at the beach and we had already bathed in the sea.
Habíamos llegado a la oficina y ya habíamos comenzado a trabajar.	We had arrived at the office and we had already started working.
Habíamos llegado a la fiesta y ya habíamos bailado toda la noche.	We had arrived at the party and we had already danced all night.
Habíamos llegado a la casa de nuestros abuelos y ya habíamos comido la cena.	We had arrived at our grandparents’ house and we had already eaten dinner.
Habíamos llegado al concierto y ya habíamos escuchado a todas las bandas.	We had arrived at the concert and we had already listened to all the bands.
Habíamos llegado a casa y ya nos habíamos dormido.	We had arrived home and we had already fallen asleep.
Habíamos llegado al restaurante y ya habíamos ordenado la comida.	We had arrived at the restaurant and we had already ordered the food.
Habíamos llegado a ser muy buenos amigos antes de que nos separáramos.	We had become very good friends before we separated.
Habíamos llegado a sentirnos muy conectados con la naturaleza antes de que construyeran el edificio.	We had come to feel very connected to nature before they built the building.
Habíamos llegado a pensar que era imposible antes de que encontráramos la solución.	We had come to think it was impossible before we found the solution.
Habíamos llegado a saber la verdad antes de que él nos la contara.	We had come to know the truth before he told us.

Table 5: Conditional Perfect Tense (Habríamos Llegado) Examples

This table showcases examples of the conditional perfect tense, which expresses what would have happened if a condition had been met. The examples demonstrate how habríamos llegado is used to express hypothetical arrivals in the past.

Sentence	Translation
Habríamos llegado a tiempo si no hubiera habido tráfico.	We would have arrived on time if there hadn’t been traffic.
Habríamos llegado a un acuerdo si hubiéramos tenido más tiempo.	We would have reached an agreement if we had had more time.
Habríamos llegado a la cima si no nos hubiéramos cansado tanto.	We would have reached the summit if we hadn’t gotten so tired.
Habríamos llegado a conocerla mejor si hubiera estado más tiempo.	We would have gotten to know her better if she had stayed longer.
Habríamos llegado a entender el problema si nos lo hubieran explicado bien.	We would have understood the problem if they had explained it well to us.
Habríamos llegado a nuestro destino si no nos hubiéramos perdido.	We would have arrived at our destination if we hadn’t gotten lost.
Habríamos llegado a creer en su historia si hubiera tenido más sentido.	We would have come to believe in his story if it had made more sense.
Habríamos llegado a dudar menos si nos hubiera dado más pruebas.	We would have doubted less if he had given us more proof.
Habríamos llegado a necesitar menos ayuda si hubiéramos planeado mejor.	We would have needed less help if we had planned better.
Habríamos llegado a sentirnos más cómodos si el ambiente hubiera sido más relajado.	We would have felt more comfortable if the environment had been more relaxed.
Habríamos llegado a ver la situación de otra manera si hubiéramos tenido más información.	We would have seen the situation differently if we had had more information.
Habríamos llegado a comprender la verdad si nos hubieran dicho todo desde el principio.	We would have understood the truth if they had told us everything from the beginning.
Habríamos llegado a un acuerdo más rápido si hubiéramos sido más flexibles.	We would have reached an agreement faster if we had been more flexible.
Habríamos llegado a la ciudad a tiempo si el tren no se hubiera retrasado.	We would have arrived in the city on time if the train hadn’t been delayed.
Habríamos llegado a la playa temprano si nos hubiéramos levantado antes.	We would have arrived at the beach early if we had gotten up earlier.
Habríamos llegado a la oficina a tiempo si no hubiéramos tenido una reunión inesperada.	We would have arrived at the office on time if we hadn’t had an unexpected meeting.
Habríamos llegado a la fiesta a tiempo si no nos hubiéramos perdido.	We would have arrived at the party on time if we hadn’t gotten lost.

Usage Rules for Each Tense

Understanding the general rules for each past tense is crucial, but it’s equally important to know the specific contexts in which each is most appropriate for expressing “we arrived.”

Preterite (Llegamos):

• Use the preterite to describe a single, completed arrival at a specific point in the past.
• Avoid using the preterite for habitual or ongoing arrivals.
• The preterite is typically used when the time of arrival is known or implied.

Imperfect (Llegábamos):

• Use the imperfect to describe repeated or habitual arrivals in the past.
• Use the imperfect to describe the circumstances surrounding an arrival, setting the scene.
• Avoid using the imperfect for single, completed arrivals; instead, use the preterite.

Perfect (Hemos Llegado):

• Use the perfect to describe an arrival that has relevance to the present.
• Use the perfect for recent arrivals.
• Avoid using the perfect if the arrival occurred a long time ago and has no current impact.

Pluperfect (Habíamos Llegado):

• Use the pluperfect to describe an arrival that occurred before another event in the past.
• The pluperfect is always used in relation to another past event to establish a sequence.
• Avoid using the pluperfect if there isn’t a clear second past event to relate it to.

Conditional Perfect (Habríamos Llegado):

• Use the conditional perfect to express hypothetical arrivals that depended on certain conditions.
• The conditional perfect is often used to express regret or speculation about past events.
• Ensure there is a clear condition that, if met, would have resulted in the arrival.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with a solid understanding of the rules, mistakes can happen. Here are some common errors to watch out for when using past tenses to express “we arrived,” along with tips on how to avoid them.

1. Confusing Preterite and Imperfect: This is perhaps the most common mistake. Remember, preterite is for completed actions, while imperfect is for ongoing or habitual actions.
   • Mistake: Llegábamos a la estación ayer. (Incorrect – mixing habitual and specific time)
   • Correct: Llegamos a la estación ayer. (We arrived at the station yesterday.)
   • Mistake: Llegamos tarde a la escuela todos los días. (Incorrect – mixing completed action and habitual time)
   • Correct: Llegábamos tarde a la escuela todos los días. (We used to arrive late to school every day.)
2. Incorrect Use of Perfect Tense: The perfect tense must have relevance to the present.
   • Mistake: Hemos llegado a Madrid el año pasado. (Incorrect – the time frame is too distant for the perfect tense)
   • Correct: Llegamos a Madrid el año pasado. (We arrived in Madrid last year.)
   • Correct: Hemos llegado a Madrid esta mañana. (We have arrived in Madrid this morning.)
3. Misusing Pluperfect Tense: The pluperfect must refer to an action completed before another past action.
   • Mistake: Habíamos llegado a casa. (Incomplete context)
   • Correct: Habíamos llegado a casa cuando empezó a llover. (We had arrived home when it started to rain.)
4. Incorrect Conditional Perfect: The conditional perfect must express a hypothetical situation.
   • Mistake: Habríamos llegado tarde. (Incomplete context)
   • Correct: Habríamos llegado tarde si no hubiéramos tomado un taxi. (We would have arrived late if we hadn’t taken a taxi.)

Practice Exercises

Now it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Complete the following sentences using the correct past tense of llegar.

1. Ayer, nosotros ________ (llegar) al aeropuerto a las 6 de la mañana.
2. Cuando éramos jóvenes, nosotros siempre ________ (llegar) tarde a la iglesia.
3. Nosotros ________ (llegar) a un acuerdo después de largas negociaciones.
4. Ya nosotros ________ (llegar) al cine cuando empezó la película.
5. Nosotros ________ (llegar) a tiempo si no hubiera habido tanto tráfico.
6. Normalmente, nosotros ________ (llegar) al trabajo antes de las 9.
7. Nosotros ________ (llegar) a la conclusión de que era necesario cambiar el plan.
8. Nosotros ________ (llegar) justo a tiempo para ver el atardecer en la playa.
9. Si hubiéramos salido antes, nosotros ________ (llegar) a la cima de la montaña.
10. Por lo general, nosotros ________ (llegar) a casa muy cansados después de un largo día.

Answer Key:

1. Ayer, nosotros llegamos al aeropuerto a las 6 de la mañana.
2. Cuando éramos jóvenes, nosotros siempre llegábamos tarde a la iglesia.
3. Nosotros hemos llegado a un acuerdo después de largas negociaciones.
4. Ya nosotros habíamos llegado al cine cuando empezó la película.
5. Nosotros habríamos llegado a tiempo si no hubiera habido tanto tráfico.
6. Normalmente, nosotros llegábamos al trabajo antes de las 9.
7. Nosotros hemos llegado a la conclusión de que era necesario cambiar el plan.
8. Nosotros llegamos justo a tiempo para ver el atardecer en la playa.
9. Si hubiéramos salido antes, nosotros habríamos llegado a la cima de la montaña.
10. Por lo general, nosotros llegábamos a casa muy cansados después de un largo día.

Advanced Topics: Nuances of Past Tense

Beyond the basic rules, there are subtle nuances in how Spanish speakers use the past tenses. These nuances can add depth and precision to your communication.

• Emotional Coloring: The imperfect tense can often convey a sense of nostalgia or emotional connection to the past. For instance, “Llegábamos a la playa todos los veranos” can evoke a feeling of longing for those summer days.
• Emphasis on Process vs. Result: The imperfect focuses on the process or duration of an action, while the preterite emphasizes the result. Consider: “Llegábamos cuando empezó la música” (Imperfect – focusing on the act of arriving as the music started) vs. “Llegamos y empezó la música” (Preterite – emphasizing the completion of arrival followed by the music starting).
• Use of Adverbs: Adverbs like “siempre” (always), “a menudo” (often), and “rara vez” (rarely) often indicate the use of the imperfect tense, as they suggest habitual actions.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering the different past tenses of “we arrived” in Spanish can significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and accurately about past events. By understanding the nuances of each tense—preterite, imperfect, perfect, pluperfect, and conditional perfect—you can convey subtle differences in meaning and add depth to your Spanish conversations. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the context in which each tense is used. With dedication and careful attention, you’ll be able to confidently and accurately express “we arrived” in any situation.