solía
“solía” means “used to” in Spanish (describing a past habit or routine).
used to
Also: would
📝 In Action
De niño, yo solía jugar en este parque todos los días.
A2As a child, I used to play in this park every day.
Mi abuela solía contarnos cuentos antes de dormir.
A2My grandmother used to tell us stories before bed.
Antes, la gente solía escribir cartas, pero ahora usan el correo electrónico.
B1Before, people used to write letters, but now they use email.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "solía" in Spanish:
would→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: solía
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'solía' to describe a past habit?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin verb 'solēre', which means 'to be accustomed to' or 'to be in the habit of'.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'solía' and 'iba'?
Both can describe past habits. For example, 'solía ir a la playa' and 'iba a la playa' can both mean 'I used to go to the beach'. 'Solía' specifically emphasizes that it was a custom or habit, while 'iba' (from the verb 'ir') just describes the repeated action.
Can 'solía' mean 'I used to' and 'he/she used to'?
Yes! 'Solía' is the form for 'yo' (I), 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), and 'usted' (you, formal). If it's not clear who you're talking about, you can add the person, like 'yo solía' or 'ella solía'.