apuntábamos

Apuntábamos is the imperfect indicative form of the Spanish verb apuntar. The verb apuntar has several related meanings, including to point, to aim, and to note down. In the imperfect form, apuntábamos expresses ongoing or repeated actions in the past by the first-person plural (we).

Etymology and usage details: apuntar comes from the root punta (point) with the -ar verb ending. It shares cognates with related Romance languages, such as Portuguese apontar. The form apuntábamos can describe physical pointing with a finger, aiming at a target, or drawing attention to something. It can also mean recording information, such as notes or figures, depending on the context.

Common senses and examples:

- Pointing or aiming: "El guía apuntaba al mapa para indicar la ruta."

- Aiming at a goal: "El equipo apuntaba a ganar el campeonato."

- Noting down or recording: "Ayer apuntábamos los gastos en la libreta."

- In continuous past narration: "Cuando entramos, todos apuntábamos ideas para el proyecto" (we were noting down ideas) or "apuntábamos con el dedo hacia la salida" (we were pointing toward the exit).

Grammar notes: apuntar is a regular -ar verb. Relevant forms nearby include apuntaba, apuntabas, apuntábamos, apuntabais, apuntaban in the imperfect; apuntamos in the present tense; participle apuntado and gerund apuntando. The phrase apuntar a often means to aim at or to target, while apuntar datos or apuntar números describes recording information.

In everyday usage, the meaning is determined by context: pointing physically, aiming at a goal, or listing information. The imperfect apuntábamos situates the action in the past as ongoing or habitual for us.