andaba
/ahn-DAH-bah/
was walking
The person was walking (andaba) continuously along the path.
andaba(verb)
was walking
?Continuous action in the past
,used to walk
?Habitual action in the past
was going around
?Referring to general movement or travel
,used to run/function
?Referring to a machine or system
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo andaba diez kilómetros cada día.
A2My grandfather used to walk ten kilometers every day.
Ella andaba por la calle cuando la vi.
A2She was walking down the street when I saw her.
Ese reloj nunca andaba bien.
B1That watch never worked well (used to function well).
💡 Grammar Points
The Imperfect Tense
This verb form tells a story about the past, describing actions that were repeated, continuous, or served as background information. Think of it as 'used to' or 'was/were + -ing'.
Who is 'Andaba'?
'Andaba' can mean 'I was walking' (Yo) or 'He/She/It was walking' (Él/Ella) or 'You formal were walking' (Usted). You need the subject (or context) to know who is doing the action.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Imperfect vs. Preterite
Mistake: "Usando 'anduvo' para una descripción: 'La calle anduvo llena de gente.'"
Correction: Use 'andaba' for descriptions and habitual actions: 'La calle andaba llena de gente.' (The street was full of people.) Use 'anduvo' only for a single, completed action.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Childhood
Use 'andaba' frequently when talking about things you used to do or places you used to go as a child, setting the scene for a memory.
The child was feeling (andaba) very tired and needed a rest.
andaba(verb)
was feeling
?Describing an emotional or physical state
,was busy with
?Describing what someone was occupied doing (often with a gerund)
was (in a certain condition)
?Used similarly to 'estar'
📝 In Action
Yo andaba con gripe la semana pasada.
B1I was sick with the flu last week.
Mi jefe andaba de mal humor todo el día.
B1My boss was in a bad mood all day.
Ella andaba buscando las llaves perdidas.
B2She was busy looking for the lost keys.
💡 Grammar Points
Andar + Gerund (Andando)
When you see 'andaba' followed by a verb ending in -ando or -iendo (the gerund), it emphasizes that the action was ongoing or that the person was actively engaged in that activity.
Replacing 'Estar'
In many informal contexts, especially in Mexico and Central America, 'andar' is used instead of 'estar' to describe temporary states or locations, like 'Andaba enfermo' instead of 'Estaba enfermo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Adjectives
Use 'andaba' with adjectives describing temporary states (like 'cansado' or 'triste') to sound more natural and conversational when describing past feelings.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: andaba
Question 1 of 1
Which of these sentences correctly uses 'andaba' to describe a past habit?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'andaba' an irregular verb form?
The infinitive 'andar' is irregular in the simple past (preterite: 'anduve'), but for the imperfect tense ('andaba'), it follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs, which makes it easy to remember!
When should I use 'andaba' instead of 'caminaba'?
'Caminaba' specifically means 'was walking.' 'Andaba' is more general; it can mean 'was walking,' 'was going around,' or even 'was feeling.' Use 'andaba' when the exact mode of transport isn't important, or when you are talking about a general state or emotion.