dependí

Dependí is the first-person singular preterite indicative form of the Spanish verb depender, meaning to depend or to rely on. It denotes a completed action in the past in which the subject relied on someone or something to achieve a result.

Grammatically, dependí is a regular -er verb, so its preterite forms are dependí, dependiste, dependió, dependimos, dependisteis, dependieron. The yo form carries an accent: dependí. It is commonly used with the preposition de to express dependence on people, resources, or circumstances: "Dependí de mis amigos para llegar a tiempo." In English this translates to "I depended on my friends to arrive on time."

Usage notes: Dependí can imply vulnerability or contingency in a past situation. It often appears in narratives that describe how outcomes hinged on others or on available resources. It contrasts with present dependo (I depend) and imperfect dependía (I was depending / I used to depend), which express different time frames and aspects.

Etymology: The verb dependí comes from depender, which in turn derives from Latin dependere, literally "to hang from" (de- + pendere). Cognate forms appear in other Romance languages, such as French dépendre and Italian dipendere, and Portuguese depender.

See also: depender; Spanish verb conjugation; depend in various tenses.