Describes current actions, habits, and general truths. The most frequently used tense — master it first.

Describes completed past actions with a clear start and end. Key signals: ayer, el lunes pasado, de repente.

Describes habitual past actions, background context, and ongoing states. Key signals: siempre, normalmente, cuando era niño.

Describes future events and predictions. In everyday speech, ir a + infinitive is often preferred for planned events.

Expresses what would happen under certain conditions — equivalent to "would" in English. Also used for polite requests.

Used in clauses expressing wishes, doubt, emotion, or uncertainty — typically after que. Triggers: querer, esperar, dudar, ojalá.

Used to give commands and direct requests. Affirmative and negative forms differ significantly in Spanish.