It was used - Fue / era / estaba?

Question

Hey guys!

The other day I wanted to say that something was used when I bought it. I have seen "fue", "era" and "estaba"...

My friend said that I should use "fue", but I am wondering now if the other ones are wrong... or perhaps do they change the meaning slightly?

Fue / era / estaba usado cuando lo compré.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Well, the normal sentence would be: Estaba usado cuando lo compré.

If you say fue usado cuando lo compré it means that is was actually being used when you bought it, "era usado" doesn't sound quite normal to me but in any case it would mean the same as the first one.

Thanks =) My friend from Colombia just told me the same. - NikkiLR, Jan 19, 2012

Answer 2

This is what I'm thinking: not at all infallible

fue usado, passive (it was used for cutting the cake kind of thing),

but estaba usado, state (it was used) - because the man had cut his sandwich with it, it was used

and then you could have 'era' if you are describing a characteristic instead of a state, The one I bought was a used one.

Answer 3

I think era usado is the best selection.

---

This is from about.com Ser is used

With adjectives to indicate inherent, innate or essential characteristics: This typically means to describe the essential nature of something, not how something might be at a particular moment.

Era usado cuando lo compré. It was used when I bought it.

Interesting... thank you! - NikkiLR, Jan 19, 2012

Answer 4

Es de segunda mano.

Answer 5

drae usado

Answer 6

I think that "era un usado" it's better; it means "it's a used one"; because the "used" is not about using it, but the fact that you bought it second hand.