ESTABA or ESTUVO | HOW to use ESTAR in the PAST tense

Estar can be confusing in Spanish when used in the past because there are 2 different Spanish past tenses: the preterite and the imperfect. Estar is used to describe temporary states, emotions, or conditions. Estar in the imperfect describes ongoing or repeated actions or conditions in the past whereas estar in the preterite is used for situations that were temporary but occurred at a specific moment. Both past forms emphasize temporary states, but the preterite indicates a clear beginning or end, while the imperfect suggests continuity or habitual actions. Follow along with us as we learn the conjugations, reasons why we use each tense, and plenty of examples to dominate them.

Link to our video on SER in the past tense:

Link to our video on Ser AND Estar in the past tense:

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Video Chapters
00:00 First Examples and Introduction
01:37 How to conjugate Estar
02:50 How to use Estar in the Imperfect Tense (estaba)
05:35 How to use Estar in the Imperfect Tense (estuvo)
07:32 Should we use estaba or estuvo?
09:05 When both estaba AND estuvo are correct!

[anytimeespanol]

Si este video te ayudó, compranos un café 😊

[SimonFlynn-unur]

This is one of the best explanations I have heard on the subject. Thank you

[ChristopherMurtagh]

Wow, I can say that after watching a lot of videos on the difference between imperfect and preterite tenses, this is by far the best explanation I have seen to date. Subscribing!

[wallisphoto]

Thank you for finally explaining what “imperfect” means for me on my Spanish journey

[christal-clear]

I agree with Christopher, good explanation of the difference, thanks (subscribing 👍🏽)

[tvinht]

Great video! I’ve struggled with understanding the differences and your explanations cleared up everything. Thanks so much! Keep sharing your awesome videos.

[NJgirleva]

Me encantan todos los ejemplos. Hacen cosas muy claras. Gracias por compartir

[TheOnlyZackshadyK]

what an easement, this helped really much, thank you

[JohnKaman]

I have been floundering in Spanish for a year but your videos are the best explanation of usage that I have found.

[jerrymcgaughey]

Tremendo video, muy claro, un gran ayuda. Disculpe mi español, tratando de aprenderlo. Dios les bendiga.

[bobbyboombeck]

Tu canal es el mejor! Estoy aprendiendo mucho con tus videos!

[MollyRiordan-xlwm]

Super helpful video! im trying to refresh my Spanish and the past tense conjugations are the hardest for me, and this was super helpful and clear.
Thanks so much 😊

[everydayadventure]

Outstanding job guys! You cleared up several questions. Love the little quizzes and examples.

[edgarpayne]

Me alegro que enseñen a nosotros. Buena explicación ❤

[lilss]

My first time seeing your videos. Excellent explanation. Short and concise and in relatable sentences that I can remember. Thank you !

[amerikawoche]

“Learned” this a long time ago in high school. All I remember (besides the conjugations which were drilled into our heads) was a simple drawing showing a straight line up & down, for the preterite, and a wave flowing into it from the left side for the imperfect. I could understand HS physics ok, but this was nigh impossible. :) Thanks for setting me straight all these years later.

[carolholmes]

Muy útil, gracias ambos. I will have to watch it a few times to let it sink in .( con esta cabeza, no es fácil)😂 Much appreciated. Gracias chicos .

[stefanchrist]

Jag tycker verkligen om hur ni förklara om olika och situationer hur man säger på olika saker mera praktiskt sett ❤❤❤😊😊

[viewfrom]

¡Qué bueno!
Very helpful, thank you!

[barrieowen]

Excellent video, thoroughly put together and clearly explained. Thank you for your dedication your a great team. Barrie Owen UK.