How to Say ‘I was’ in Spain Spanish
Yo estaba
yoh ehs-TAH-bah
[yoh ehs-TAH-bah]
💬 Usage Tip: Spanish often leaves out [yo], so saying [yo estaba] adds emphasis: "I was." That's useful in a disagreement when you're contrasting your version with someone else's.
Phrase Breakdown
Yo
[yoh]
I
Subject pronoun, often optional in Spanish but used for emphasis.
Yo estaba esperando fuera.
I was waiting outside.
estaba
[ehs-TAH-bah]
was
Imperfect form of estar, used for ongoing past situations or locations.
Yo estaba junto a la entrada.
I was next to the entrance.
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