A colorful storybook illustration showing two small figures, holding hands, walking together down a well-worn, curving path in a sunny green field, symbolizing a repeated past activity.

solíamos

so-LEE-ah-mos

Verb (Conjugated Form)B1irregular (stem-changing in present tense) er

we used to?expressing a past habit or routine

Also:we would often?describing repeated past actions

Quick Reference

infinitivesoler

gerundsoliendo

past Participlesolido

📝 In Action

Cuando éramos jóvenes, solíamos ir a la playa todos los veranos.

When we were young, we used to go to the beach every summer.

Solíamos hablar por teléfono durante horas, pero ahora estamos muy ocupados.

We would often talk on the phone for hours, but now we are very busy.

Mi hermana y yo solíamos compartir todo, incluso nuestros secretos más grandes.

My sister and I used to share everything, even our biggest secrets.

Word Connections

Synonyms

acostumbrarse (to get used to)
tener la costumbre de (to have the habit of)

Common Collocations

solíamos decir – we used to say
solíamos vernos – we used to see each other

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Used To' Verb

In Spanish, we use the verb 'soler' (conjugated in the Imperfect tense, like 'solíamos') followed by an infinitive verb to mean 'used to.' This is the most natural way to express past habits.

Always Follow with an Action

Remember that 'solíamos' must always be followed by another verb in its base form (infinitive), for example: 'solíamos viajar' (we used to travel).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Translating 'Used To' Literally

Mistake: "Usamos ir al cine. (We use to go to the cinema.)"

Correction: Solíamos ir al cine. The verb 'usar' means 'to utilize' or 'to wear,' not 'to habitually do something.'

Confusing Habit vs. Single Action

Mistake: "Fuimos al parque. (Trying to say 'We used to go to the park.')"

Correction: Solíamos ir al parque. If you use the Preterite tense (Fuimos), it means 'We went (one time).' Use 'solíamos' for repeated past actions.

⭐ Usage Tips

Focus on the Imperfect

The verb 'soler' is almost exclusively used in the Present tense (for current habits) or the Imperfect tense (like 'solíamos' for past habits). You rarely hear it in the Preterite or Future.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: solíamos

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'solíamos' to describe a past habit?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

soler(to usually do; to be accustomed to) - verb

solemos(we usually do) - verb

solía(I/he/she used to) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'solíamos' the same as using the simple Imperfect tense?

Not exactly. The simple Imperfect (e.g., *íbamos* - 'we were going' or 'we went') can describe a habit, but using 'solíamos' (solíamos ir - 'we used to go') specifically emphasizes the habitual nature of the action, making it clearer and more natural, just like using 'used to' in English.

Can I use 'solíamos' to talk about things that only happened once?

No. 'Solíamos' is reserved for actions that repeated over a period of time in the past—things you did habitually, like a routine or custom.