Some verbs have changes in meaning when they are conjugated in the Preterite vs. the Present Tense. They will also have a different meaning when conjugated in the other Past Tense, the Imperfect.
Verb |
Present tense |
Preterite tense |
| Querer | Quiero "I want.." | Quise "I tried to.." |
| No Querer | No quiero "I don't want.." | No quise "I refused to.." |
| Conocer | Conozco "I know someone /some place" |
Conocí "I met someone (first time)" |
| Saber | Sé "I know a fact.." | Supe "I found out.." |
| Poder | Puedo "I can" | Pude "I managed to.." |
| No Poder | No puedo "I can't" | No pude "I failed to.." |