imponíamos

Imponíamos is the first-person plural imperfect indicative form of the Spanish verb imponer, meaning that we imposed something or that we used to impose it in the past. It can describe actions that were habitual or ongoing, or a past tendency to set rules, taxes, standards, or other requirements on others.

Etymology and form: imponíamos comes from the verb imponer, which derives from Latin imponere (in- “on” + ponere “to place”). In the imperfect tense, the form follows the regular pattern for -er verbs: imponía, imponías, imponía, imponíamos, imponíais, imponían. The accent on í marks the stressed syllable. When used with a direct object, imponíamos governs what was being imposed (normas, impuestos, expectativas, etc.). The verb can also appear in pronominal form as nos imponíamos, though this is less common and tends to emphasize imposing something on oneself.

Usage notes: imponíamos expresses past actions that are either repeated or continuous over a period, rather than a single completed occurrence. It often conveys a sense of authority or enforcement, as in imposing rules, duties, or burdens on others. It can appear in historical, narrative, or reflective contexts to describe how groups or institutions behaved in the past. The nuance may shift depending on the object: impostos, normas, límites, o ideologías can be described as being imposed.

Examples: En la escuela, imponíamos reglas estrictas para mantener el orden. El gobierno imponía nuevas tasas para financiar el proyecto. Durante la temporada, imponíamos un ritmo de entrenamiento exigente.

See also: imponer, imposición, imposición fiscal, imponerse.