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How to Say "it was" in Spanish

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fue

/fweh//fwe/

VerbA1General
Use 'fue' to describe a completed past action, an identity, or a characteristic that is no longer true.
An old, framed photograph of a woman in a pilot's uniform, representing something that 'was' in the past.

Examples

Mi abuela fue enfermera.

My grandmother was a nurse.

La película fue excelente.

The movie was excellent.

Fue un día muy importante para nosotros.

It was a very important day for us.

A Past Form of 'Ser' (to be)

This 'fue' comes from the verb 'ser'. Use it for completed events or to state what someone or something was in a finished period of time. Think of it as a snapshot: the action is over.

Using 'Fue' for Descriptions

Mistake: “La casa fue grande.”

Correction: La casa era grande. Use 'era' for descriptions in the past (like size, color, or personality). Use 'fue' for events ('La fiesta fue grande').

era

VerbA2General
Use 'era' for ongoing past actions, descriptions, or states that continued for an indefinite period in the past, including telling time.

Examples

Mis abuelos eran muy amables.

My grandparents were very kind.

estuvo

/es-TOO-boh//esˈtu.βo/

VerbA1General
Use 'estuvo' to describe a temporary state, condition, or feeling that began and ended in the past, often used for opinions on experiences.
A male soccer player sitting on the grass, looking exhausted and out of breath after physical exertion.

Examples

Él estuvo muy cansado después del partido.

He was very tired after the game.

La sopa estuvo deliciosa, gracias.

The soup was delicious, thank you.

La puerta estuvo cerrada toda la mañana.

The door was closed all morning.

Temporary Conditions

Use 'estuvo' for feelings, moods, and physical states that have a beginning and an end. You weren't always tired, you were tired after the game.

'Estuvo' vs. 'Era'

Mistake: “La fiesta era divertida anoche.”

Correction: La fiesta estuvo divertida anoche. We use 'estuvo' to give our opinion on a specific event. 'Era' would describe something that was always fun, like a permanent characteristic.

hizo

/ee-so//ˈiso/

VerbA1General
Use 'hizo' specifically when talking about past weather conditions.
A bright, sunny beach scene with a small figure sweating heavily while seeking shade under a tiny umbrella.

Examples

Ayer hizo mucho calor en la playa.

It was very hot at the beach yesterday.

Hizo un día terrible, con mucho viento y lluvia.

It was a terrible day, with a lot of wind and rain.

En las montañas hizo más frío de lo que esperaba.

In the mountains it was colder than I expected.

Always 'Hizo' for Weather

When talking about weather in the past (like 'it was sunny'), you'll almost always use 'hizo'. It's always this form because 'the weather' is an 'it'.

'Was' isn't always 'Era'

Mistake: “Era frío ayer.”

Correction: **Hizo** frío ayer. For many weather descriptions like temperature and sun, Spanish uses the verb 'hacer', not 'ser' or 'estar'.

Distinguishing 'fue' and 'era'

The most common confusion is between 'fue' and 'era'. Remember that 'fue' implies a completed past event or identity (like 'was a nurse'), while 'era' describes ongoing states or characteristics in the past (like 'were kind' or 'was two o'clock').

Related Translations

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