eras
/EH-rahs/
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Cuando eras niño, te encantaba jugar afuera.
A2When you were a child, you loved to play outside.
Tú eras mi mejor amigo en la primaria.
A1You were my best friend in elementary school.
No sabía que eras tan bueno para cocinar.
B1I didn't know you were so good at cooking.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing the Past with 'eras'
'Eras' comes from the verb 'ser' (to be). Use it to talk about what you were like or what things were like over a period of time in the past, without a specific end point. Think of it like setting the scene in a story.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'eras' vs. 'fuiste'
Mistake: "Cuando fuiste niño, jugabas mucho."
Correction: Cuando eras niño, jugabas mucho. Use 'eras' for descriptions and ongoing states in the past (like 'being a child'). Use 'fuiste' for completed, one-time events (like 'fuiste el ganador' - 'you were the winner').
⭐ Usage Tips
Painting a Picture of the Past
Think of 'eras' as your go-to word for describing how someone or something 'used to be'. It's perfect for reminiscing: 'Eras muy tímido' (You used to be very shy) or 'Eras el capitán del equipo' (You were the team captain).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: eras
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'eras' to describe a characteristic in the past?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'eras' and 'fuiste'?
Both mean 'you were', but they are used differently. Use 'eras' for descriptions, habits, and ongoing situations in the past (like setting a scene): 'Cuando eras joven, vivías en el campo' (When you were young, you lived in the countryside). Use 'fuiste' for completed, single actions or events: 'Ayer fuiste al cine' (Yesterday you went to the movies).
How do I know if 'eras' is the verb or the noun?
Context is everything! If it's talking about 'you' (tú) and what you were like, it's the verb. If it's talking about long periods of time, often with words like 'las', 'historia', or 'geológicas', it's the noun 'eras' (ages).