"there was a time"

Question

Is there a good poetic phrase for this? I'd specifically like to use the word TIEMPO?

Not like for a fairy tale (Érase una vez...) More like reminiscing about something with a friend.

BTW the intended "time" is more like an extended but indefinite period of time (un tiempo) than a single / moment in time (una vez) or a short while (un rato)

I was thinking just simple like: Había un tiempo...

Any useful feedback would be appreciated!

Answer 1

"Había un tiempo" could work, but in certain contexts. If you are simply reminiscing an event I'd use "Hubo un tiempo", eg: "Hubo un tiempo durante el cual apenas hablábamos"

Answer 2

When I read "Había un tiempo", I somehow expect a description of the weather, although it can be used to refer to a period of time too, of course: "Había un tiempo en el que los hombres creían que la tierra era plana." However, this sentence, rather than a story, it sounds like a background description of something was already happening.

Answer 3

I had thought of Hubo, but I'm still not really sure about the different feelings of "hubo un tiempo"and "había un tiempo".

I think from your example and others I have seen, that "había" works fine for what I need.

Thanks for the help,

Answer 4

I think Había un tiempo... works just fine. Or, Me acuerdo cuando....

J