What is the difference between imparfait and conditionnel in french? also, what are some ways i can tell the difference between the two?

Hello !

• In french, the conditional is used to express a wish, a hypothesis, or what would happen given certains events or actions.

The conditional of regular verbs = infinitive verb (which finishes with 'r') + endings.

The endings of verbs are the same in conditional and in imparfait :
Je → -ais
Tu → -ais
Il/Elle/On → -ait
Nous → -ions
Vous → -iez
Ils/Elles → -aient

For example :
- Dormir (to sleep) in conditional = pronoun + "dormir" + ending.
Je dormirais
Tu dormirais
Il dormirait
Nous dormirions
Vous dormiriez
Ils dormiraient

There are some irregular verbs, but the ending is always the same (rais, rais, rait, rions, riez, raient) :
Vouloir → Je voudrais, nous voudrions
Voir → Je verrais, nous verrions

• The imparfait is a descriptive past tense which indicates an ongoing state of being or a repeated or incomplete action.

The imparfait = verb root (which is berfore "-er" or "-ir") + endings

For example :
- Dormir in imparfait = pronoun + "dorm-" + ending.
Je dormais
Tu dormais
Il dormait
Nous dormions
Vous dormiez
Ils dormaient

• So how to tell the difference between the two :
If you see/hear the letter 'r' before the ending, then it's the conditional : "je regarderais" (regarder + -ais, you can see "rais")
If you don't see/hear the letter 'r' before the ending, then it's the imparfait : je regardais (regard- + -ais, you can see "dais")

I hope this helped you ;)