En los 90 se usaban zapatos de plataforma.
You could say usar is one of the most useful verbs in Spanish, since its meaning happens to be "to use". If it sounds familiar, it's because both the Spanish and the English verb share a common Latin ancestor.
However, usar does have some aspects that set it apart from its English cousin. For instance, usar can take on the meaning of "to wear" in phrases like estoy usando el vestido que me regalaste (I'm wearing the dress you gave me).
There is yet another use to usar which is probably derived from the above: usar can mean "to be in fashion" in phrases like en los 90 se usaban zapatos de plataforma (platform shoes were in fashion in the 90s).
Conjugations
Although surprising for such a short and common verb, usar is regular in all its conjugations. You can learn the rules of regular Spanish conjugations here, but we've laid out all the forms of usar in the indicative mood in the tables below so you can practice.
Present
|
Yo |
uso |
Nosotros/Nosotras |
usamos |
|
Tú (Vos) |
usas (usás) |
Vosotros/Vosotras |
usáis |
|
Él/Ella/Usted |
usa |
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes |
usan |
Examples:
- Anahí no usa tacos. - Anahí doesn't wear heels.
- Ellos usan otro libro. - They use a different book.
Imperfect
|
Yo |
usaba |
Nosotros/Nosotras |
usábamos |
|
Tú/Vos |
usabas |
Vosotros/Vosotras |
usabais |
|
Él/Ella/Usted |
usaba |
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes |
usaban |
Examples:
- Antes la gente usaba más sombreros. - In the past, people used more hats.
- Cerraron ese baño porque nadie lo usaba. - They closed down that bathroom because no one used it.
Preterite
|
Yo |
usé |
Nosotros/Nosotras |
usamos |
|
Tú/Vos |
usaste |
Vosotros/Vosotras |
usasteis |
|
Él/Ella/Usted |
usó |
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes |
usaron |
Examples:
- Es nuevo, nunca lo usé. - It is new; I've never used it.
- Mis abuelos nunca usaron una computadora. - My grandparents never used a computer.
Future
|
Yo |
usaré |
Nosotros/Nosotras |
usaremos |
|
Tú/Vos |
usarás |
Vosotros/Vosotras |
usaréis |
|
Él/Ella/Usted |
usará |
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes |
usarán |
Examples:
- ¿Qué vestido usarás en la boda? - What dress will you wear to the wedding?
- Noelia usará esa cámara, tú usa la otra. - Noelia will use that camera; you use the other one.
Conditional
|
Yo |
usaría |
Nosotros/Nosotras |
usaríamos |
|
Tú/Vos |
usarías |
Vosotros/Vosotras |
usaríais |
|
Él/Ella/Usted |
usaría |
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes |
usarían |
Examples:
- Es lindo, pero jamás lo usaría. - It's pretty, but I would never wear/use it.
- ¿Usarías una tostadora si te la regalara? - Would you use a toaster if I gave it to you?
Keep including usar in your Spanish conversations and you will soon find yourself conjugating it effortlessly.