Inklingo

How to Say "was feeling" in Spanish

English → Spanish

andaba

ahn-DAH-bah/anˈdaba/

verbB1
Use 'andaba' when describing a general emotional or physical state that was ongoing in the past, often implying a temporary condition.
A child sitting slumped against a large tree trunk, rubbing their eyes and looking weary, illustrating a state of feeling exhausted.

Examples

Yo andaba un poco triste toda la semana pasada.

I was feeling a bit sad all last week.

Yo andaba con gripe la semana pasada.

I was sick with the flu last week.

Mi jefe andaba de mal humor todo el día.

My boss was in a bad mood all day.

Ella andaba buscando las llaves perdidas.

She was busy looking for the lost keys.

Andar + Gerund (Andando)

When you see 'andaba' followed by a verb ending in -ando or -iendo (the gerund), it emphasizes that the action was ongoing or that the person was actively engaged in that activity.

Replacing 'Estar'

In many informal contexts, especially in Mexico and Central America, 'andar' is used instead of 'estar' to describe temporary states or locations, like 'Andaba enfermo' instead of 'Estaba enfermo'.

tocaba

toh-KAH-bah/toˈkaβa/

verbA1
Use 'tocaba' when referring to the physical act of touching something in the past, not for emotional or general states of being.
A small child gently touches a fluffy white cloud with one finger, emphasizing the action of touching.

Examples

Cuando era niño, yo tocaba el piano todos los días.

When I was a child, I was playing the piano every day.

Ella siempre tocaba las flores en el jardín.

She always used to touch the flowers in the garden.

Cuando era niño, tocaba la pared para asegurarse de que estaba allí.

When I was a child, I was touching (or used to touch) the wall to make sure it was there.

Alguien tocaba a la puerta cuando llegamos.

Someone was knocking at the door when we arrived.

The Imperfect Tense (Continuous Past)

As an imperfect tense form, 'tocaba' describes an action (touching) that was ongoing, repeated, or habitual in the past, without a definite end point.

Imperfect vs. Preterite

Mistake: “Using 'tocó' (preterite) when describing a habit: 'Él tocó la guitarra cada día.'”

Correction: Use 'tocaba' (imperfect) for habits: 'Él tocaba la guitarra cada día.' (He used to play the guitar every day.)

Confusing States with Actions

Learners often confuse 'andaba' (describing a state) with 'tocaba' (describing an action of touching). Remember that 'andaba' is for how you felt or were generally, while 'tocaba' relates to the physical act of touching.

Related Translations

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