“Estaba” and “estuvo” are both past tense forms of the verb estar, which means “to be” in Spanish. However, they are used in different contexts based on the kind of action or state being described.
Estaba (The “Imperfect” past tense)
- Used to describe actions or states that were ongoing or habitual, focuses on the process of ongoing nature of the an action (e.g. I was doing something).
- Ejemplo: Cuando era niño, estaba siempre en el parque. (When I was a child, I was always at the park.)
- It conveys a sense of continuity or background action. Often used to set the scene or describe something that was happening when something else occurred.
- Ejemplo: Estaba leyendo cuando me llamaste. (I was reading when you called me.)
Estuvo (The Preterite or “perfect” past tense)
- Used to describe actions or states that were completed at a specific point in the past.
- Ejemplo: Estuvo en la fiesta ayer. (He/She was at the party yesterday.)
- Estuvo focuses on the fact that something was completed or specific at a certain time (e.g., something happened or someone was at a place for a period of time).
- Ejemplo: La reunión estuvo muy interesante. (The meeting was very interesting.)
Key Differences: “Estaba” vs. “Estuvo” — Imperfecto vs. Pretérito
| Verb Form | Tense | Use it when… |
| estaba | Imperfect | You’re describing background, ongoing states, repetition, or situations with no clear beginning or end. |
| estuvo | Preterite | You’re talking about something completed, specific, or that happened once. |
🛠️ How to Choose: Think of a Camera
- 📽️ “Estaba” is like a slow-moving camera — it sets the scene, describes what things were like.
- 📸 “Estuvo” is a snapshot — it captures a moment, something that started and ended.
🗣️ Examples in Context:
1. Emotions & Conditions
- ✅ Estaba cansado.
I was tired. (describing how I felt over a period of time) - ✅ Estuvo cansado después del partido.
He was tired after the game (specific moment, it happened and passed).
2. Locations
- ✅ Estaba en casa todo el día.
I was home all day. (ongoing situation) - ✅ Estuvo en casa ayer por la tarde.
He was at home yesterday afternoon. (specific event in the past)
3. Events or Temporary States
- ✅ La fiesta estaba aburrida.
The party was boring. (description of how it was) - ✅ La fiesta estuvo increíble.
The party was amazing. (completed experience)
🎯 Quick Tip: Ask yourself…
- Was it a description or state? → Use estaba
- Was it a one-time event or clearly finished? → Use estuvo
Conjugation of the verb ESTAR in the past tense
Imperfect Tense (Estaba)
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo (I) | estaba |
| tú (you, informal) | estabas |
| él/ella/usted (he/she/you, formal) | estaba |
| nosotros/nosotras (we) | estábamos |
| vosotros/vosotras (you all, informal, Spain) | estabais |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes (they/you all, formal) | estaban |
Preterite Tense (Estuvo)
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo (I) | estuve |
| tú (you, informal) | estuviste |
| él/ella/usted (he/she/you, formal) | estuvo |
| nosotros/nosotras (we) | estuvimos |
| vosotros/vosotras (you all, informal, Spain) | estuvisteis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes (they/you all, formal) | estuvieron |
🧪 Practice Time!
Can you guess the correct verb form?
- Cuando llegué, ella ya ______ en el restaurante.
- Ayer la reunión ______ muy larga.
- Él ______ muy feliz durante las vacaciones.
- En ese momento, yo no ______ en casa.
✅ Answers:
- estaba (she was already there, ongoing situation)
- estuvo (specific event, one-time)
- estaba (describing how he felt over the vacation)
- estaba (background info about where I was)