engañaba

The verb *engañaba* is the first-person singular imperfect indicative form of the Spanish verb *engañar*, meaning "to deceive" or "to trick." In the context of Spanish grammar, this conjugation is part of the preterite imperfect tense, which is used to describe habitual actions, ongoing events, or past states that were in progress.

The imperfect tense is formed by removing the infinitive ending *-ar* from *engañar* and adding the appropriate ending for the first-person singular, which in this case is *-aba*. This conjugation reflects actions that were occurring repeatedly or continuously in the past, such as "I used to deceive" or "I was deceiving."

The verb *engañar* itself has multiple meanings depending on context. It can refer to intentionally misleading someone, such as lying or manipulating them, or it may describe a situation where someone is fooled or misled without malicious intent. For example, a person might *engañar* another by giving false information, or they might *engañar* themselves by believing something that is not true.

In Spanish literature and conversation, *engañar* is often used metaphorically to describe broader forms of deception, such as misleading expectations or creating false impressions. The imperfect form, *engañaba*, is particularly useful in storytelling to convey ongoing deception or habitual deceit in past narratives.

While *engañar* is a regular verb in Spanish, its usage can vary based on regional dialects and nuances in meaning. Understanding its conjugation and application is essential for accurate communication in both written and spoken Spanish.