perdían

Perdían is the imperfect indicative form of the Spanish verb perder, used for the third person plural. In English, it translates to “they were losing” or “they used to lose.” The imperfect is used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past or to provide background in a narrative, so perdían frequently appears in past-tense descriptions and stories.

Formation and forms. perder is an -er verb, and its imperfect endings for -er/-ir verbs are -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían. With the stem perd-, the full set of imperfect forms is perdía, perdías, perdía, perdíamos, perdíais, perdían. Perdían specifically marks the third-person plural (ellos, ellas, ustedes).

Usage notes. Perdían can describe repeated past actions, ongoing states, or background conditions. It is distinct from the preterite (a completed past action) and from the imperfect subjunctive (perdieran). In narrative, perdían helps convey gradual processes, repeated behavior, or setting of scenes in the past.

Etymology and related forms. Perdían derives from the Latin perdere, meaning to lose. Related forms include perder (to lose), perdido (lost), and perdíamos (we used to lose). The imperfect subjunctive form is perdieran, not perdían, used in hypothetical or dependent clauses.

Examples. Los equipos perdían el balón con frecuencia durante el partido. La multitud perdía la paciencia ante la demora. Ella decía que perdían esperanza, pero seguían intentando. These illustrate habitual past actions, ongoing states, and narrative background using perdían.