enfatizaste

Enfatizaste is the second-person singular preterite form of the Spanish verb enfatizar, meaning "you emphasized." It is used when the subject is tú and refers to a completed action in the past, such as highlighting a point or stressing a detail in a past event or narrative.

Morphology and usage notes: Enfatizar is a regular -zar verb, so the preterite for tú is formed by adding -aste to the stem: enfatiz- + -aste → enfatizaste. The corresponding yo form in the preterite is enfatizé. Enfatizaste is commonly found in informal contexts and spoken narration; in formal writing or speech, usted enfatizó would be used to convey the same idea with formality.

Etymology and related forms: Enfatizar derives from the noun énfasis (emphasis), which comes from Greek through Latin and later language influences. Related forms include enfatizo (present tense, yo), enfatizas (present tense, tú), enfatizaba (imperfect), and enfatización (emphasis as a concept). The noun énfasis and the adjective enfático are related derivatives.

Examples and usage context: A typical sentence is “Ayer enfatizaste la idea principal en la reunión.” Another example: “Si enfatizaste demasiado ese punto, podrías haber generado resistencia.” In many dialects, the tú form coexists with formal usted forms, where the meaning remains the same but formality changes.

See also: enfatizar, énfasis, enfático.