solían
“solían” means “they used to” in Spanish (Expressing past habit).
they used to, they would (regularly)
Also: you (plural, formal) used to
📝 In Action
Mis padres solían ir al cine todos los sábados.
A2My parents used to go to the movies every Saturday.
Antes, los vecinos solían dejar las puertas abiertas.
B1Before, the neighbors would usually leave their doors open.
En esa época, ellos solían viajar mucho por trabajo.
B2During that time, they were accustomed to traveling a lot for work.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: solían
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'solían'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *solēre*, which meant 'to be accustomed to' or 'to be in the habit of.' Its meaning and function have remained remarkably consistent over centuries.
First recorded: Classical Latin
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'solían hacer' and 'hacían'?
Both mean 'they used to do,' but 'solían hacer' (using 'soler') is much stronger and more explicitly emphasizes that the action was a regular, established habit or custom. 'Hacían' (just the imperfect) can cover habits, but also descriptions or ongoing background actions.
Is 'solían' often used in formal writing?
Yes, 'solían' is standard, neutral Spanish and is used across all registers, from casual conversation to formal historical descriptions, whenever a past custom or habit needs to be clearly expressed.