era vs. estaba

Question

Estoy muy confudida cuando se utiliza las palabras "era vs. estaba". Could someone please help me out and explain the usages, and the differences in using each word, so that I may be able to practice with other ones like these? Thanks very much!

Answer 1

era is the imperfect tense of ser.

estaba is the imperfect tense of estar.

If you know the difference between those, it's about the same deal.

"Son las 4 de la mañana." - "Eran las 4 de la mañana." - " It was 4am

Estaba llorando. They were crying. vs están llorando. They are crying.

Era would be used for things like characteristics, time, and more permanent things that used to be.

Estaba is more for states of being or location.

Hope that helps!

muchas gracias! :-) - brainyblackgirl, Aug 3, 2010

"Last night the moon was beautiful" - era o estaba? I've read "estaba" but ... it began and ended last night .... characteristic or inherent quality? not really because only LAST NIGHT it was beautiful .... Any simple rule for us "heady" people? - hotwired, Feb 17, 2017

Answer 2

ahora estoy en nivel dos de rosetta stone y ya ví!!! :D

Answer 3

es verdad!!!!!