estuve
/es-TOO-veh/
I was
Estuve (I was) refers to being in a specific location at a completed time in the past. The figure 'was' at the beach.
📝 In Action
Ayer estuve en el supermercado.
A1Yesterday I was at the supermarket.
Estuve en casa de mi abuela todo el fin de semana.
A2I was at my grandmother's house all weekend.
Nunca estuve en Argentina, pero me encantaría ir.
B1I have never been to Argentina, but I would love to go.
💡 Grammar Points
Location in the Past (Estuve vs. Fui)
Use estuve to talk about where you were. It's for location. Use fui (from the verb ser) for what you were (e.g., a profession) or your relationship to someone. Example: Estuve en la fiesta (I was at the party), but Fui el anfitrión (I was the host).
❌ Common Pitfalls
For Ongoing States in the Past
Mistake: "Cuando mi mamá llamó, estuve en la cocina."
Correction: Use `estaba` for background information or actions that were in progress. Say `Cuando mi mamá llamó, estaba en la cocina.` (When my mom called, I was in the kitchen). `Estuve` implies you went to the kitchen, stayed for a bit, and then left—a completed action.
⭐ Usage Tips
Think 'Completed Block of Time'
Estuve is perfect for talking about being somewhere for a specific, finished block of time. Even if you don't say the time, it's implied. For example, Estuve en París implies the trip is over.
Estuve (I was) is used to describe a temporary state or condition in the past, such as being tired, busy, or sick.
estuve(Verb)
I was
?referring to a temporary feeling, state, or condition
I felt
?describing an emotion for a period of time
📝 In Action
Estuve enfermo la semana pasada.
A2I was sick last week.
Estuve muy ocupado ayer con el proyecto.
A2I was very busy yesterday with the project.
Después de la película, estuve triste por dos horas.
B1After the movie, I was sad for two hours.
Estuve a punto de llamarte, pero se me olvidó.
B1I was about to call you, but I forgot.
💡 Grammar Points
Temporary vs. Permanent States in the Past
Just like in the present, estuve is for temporary conditions. Estuve cansado means 'I was tired' (but I got better). To talk about a permanent quality someone had, you'd use a form of ser, like Él era alto (He was tall).
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Reactions
Estuve is great for describing your state or feeling in reaction to a specific event. For example, Vi la araña y estuve asustado por una hora. (I saw the spider and was scared for an hour.)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estuve
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'estuve'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'estuve', 'fui', and 'estaba'?
It's a great question! Think of it like this: - `estuve`: Use for where you were or how you felt for a specific, *completed* time. (e.g., `Ayer estuve en la playa.` - Yesterday I was at the beach.) - `fui`: This is the past tense of two different verbs, `ser` (to be) and `ir` (to go). You use it for *what* you were (e.g., `Fui estudiante.` - I was a student) or *where you went* (e.g., `Fui a la playa.` - I went to the beach). - `estaba`: Use for descriptions in the past or for actions that were *in progress*. (e.g., `Hacía sol y yo estaba en la playa.` - It was sunny and I was at the beach.)
Is 'estuve' a common word?
Yes, it's extremely common! It's the 'I was' form of the verb 'estar', which is one of the two main 'to be' verbs in Spanish. You'll use it constantly to talk about what you did yesterday, last week, or last year.