Questions in the Periphrastic Past

Level 2

Ask about a completed past event with the ordinary vaig/vas/va/vam/vau/van + infinitive construction.

How It Works

Tens temps? uses the same verb and subject structure as tens temps. Written Catalan marks the question at the end; there is no English-style do or does inserted before the verb. An explicit subject is possible when it adds useful information or contrast.

For a past yes/no question, keep the same auxiliary and infinitive as in a statement: vas veure la pel·lícula? The question does not add a second auxiliary equivalent to English did. A question word can come before the verbal group: quan vau arribar?

The auxiliary still identifies the person: vas asks tu, vau asks vosaltres, and va can describe a third person or address vostè. Do not confuse present aneu with past auxiliary vau. When a pronoun is needed, either el vas veure? or vas veure'l? can express the same object relationship.

Examples (3)

  1. Vau trobar el carrer?

    Did you find the street?

  2. Quan vas arribar?

    When did you arrive?

  3. Què va passar ahir?

    What happened yesterday?

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Questions in the Periphrastic PastLevel 2

Learn This First

Use ordinary question structure without an extra do auxiliary. Choose the correct past auxiliary form.

Words in This Pattern