Fui vs. Fue

Question

I'm struggling with fui vs. fue. Is this simply a tense issue, or am I missing something else? I can't figure out which one is appropriate to use and when. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Answer 1

I understand your confusion...the verbs "ser" and "ir" are tricky.

Fui = I went (the infinitive is "ir"). For example, I went to the store "Fui a la tienda." It also means "I was" (the infinitive is "ser") as in I was a doctor in the past "Fui un doctor en el pasado."

Fue = he/she/it went (the infinitive is "ir"). For example, He went to a movie "Fue a una película." It also means "was" (the infinitive is "ser") as in 'He was a good friend." (Fue un buen amigo).

Answer 2

Fui - first person (I went/was)

Fue - third person (he/she/it was, or went)

Both the preterite of ir and ser.