Fue / Era un cantante...

Question

Pedro Infante (fue / era) un cantante y actor mexicano.

No sé cuál de las dos debo usar. Me parece que si uso 'fue', que se enfoca más en el hecho de que ya no es cantante... Y si uso 'era' es como estoy diciendo que durante un tiempo indefinido, 'era' cantante. (?)

Entonces, si estoy hablado en general, ¿podría usar el imperfecto (era)?

Gracias...

Answer 1

Hello Nikki! Even though they can be used as synonyms, there is a very little difference that even many Spanish speaking people, would not know how to explain. Why, because those two words can be used interchangeable, but sometimes one it is more appropriate than the other.

• If you use "fue", you are pretty much saying that he is not longer alive. This word gives you the sensation of a longer period of time.
• If you say "era", you are saying that is was a singer, but not anymore! So, he is still alive, but he is not longer a singer. This word gives you the the sensation of a specifit period of time
• By the way, era on its own, has two different meanings. One, comes from the verb ser, and the other is (Age) a long period of time in history. I.E. Dark Ages, Ice Age, Golden Age, etc.
• The following link might shed more light on the subject! Fue vrs Era

Ok, so, since he is dead, I cannot use 'era'? - NikkiLR, Mar 28, 2012

i agree with this 100% - Rey_Mysterio, Mar 28, 2012

You can still use era, but it is not quite the best of the two words in this situation. - farallon7, Mar 28, 2012

Ok, so since he was a singer, but now he is dead, I should use 'fue'? - NikkiLR, Mar 28, 2012

Say he were still alive.. and he were a singer (for an undefined amount of time) and then quit...I could then use 'era'? - NikkiLR, Mar 28, 2012

Yes, if he was a singer, is still alive but not singing anymore, then "era" would be the perfect word to use. - farallon7, Mar 28, 2012

Thanks! Would you mind answering my last question I posted? it was too long for a comment... jeje - NikkiLR, Mar 28, 2012

The last question? You mean a brand new question?, I looked and this is the last question I found posted by you. - farallon7, Mar 28, 2012

I posted it as an "answer" below. :D - NikkiLR, Mar 28, 2012

Oh, sorry! I'm slow today! Well, it is still the same issue. When you say that Pedro Infante era un cantante incríble, you may think that he is not longer a good singer and he is still alive. ...fue un cantante increible, would be more appropriate. - farallon7, Mar 28, 2012

So then, what about that quote I posted? They were talking about someone who had recently passed away. - NikkiLR, Mar 28, 2012

In this case, yes! ...era un buen cantante or era una buena cantante is perfect! - farallon7, Mar 28, 2012

Answer 2

You right pero en este caso creo que se usuaria 'era'

Not that it means much, but i agree. Even if he was/is dead you could still use era. - Ox-Y-Gen, Mar 28, 2012

Unless of course, i'm wrong as usual. In which case you disregard my statement completely ;) - Ox-Y-Gen, Mar 28, 2012

You have my vote too, for what it's worth. - annierats, Mar 28, 2012

Answer 3

If I'm understanding the difference between the preterit (fue) and imperfect (era), I agree with Hecho, your sentence uses "era".

Imperfect: "Generally speaking, the imperfect is used for actions in the past that are not seen as completed. Use of the imperfect tense implies that the past action did not have a definite beginning or a definite end."

Preterit: The preterite is used for an action in the past that is seen as completed. Use of the preterite tense implies that the past action had a definite beginning and definite end.

The action of singing in your sentence is not one specific event. If you said something like, "He performed a concert last Tuesday", I would use the preterit for performed, because it's got a clear beginning and ending.

Para mi, la acción de cantar en tú frase no es un evento específico. Si t'u dijiste algo así como: "Interpretó un concierto el martes pasado", me gustaría usar el pretérito de interpretar, porque lo tiene un principio y un final.

Por favor, corrija mi español.

Thanks =) - NikkiLR, Mar 29, 2012

Answer 4

Si debes usar "era" porque estás describiendo más en el pasado. "Fue" sería por un tiempo determinado.

Answer 5

Adding on...

You can still use era, but it is not quite the best of the two words in this situation. - farallon7

Ya veo porque debo usar 'fue' aquí... y si estoy entendiendo bien, si quiero describirlo, uso el imperfecto (aunque está muerto), ¿verdad? --

Pedro Infante era un cantante increíble.

---

Encontré esto en Google:

“Era una cantante increíble. No sólo era mi madrina, también era mi jefa y mentora“, aseguró la joven entre lágrimas y a quien se le dificultó entonar las últimas estrofas de la canción de Winehouse, lo que provocó el aplauso de la gente.

era cantante... - Rey_Mysterio, Mar 28, 2012

What? - NikkiLR, Mar 28, 2012

Well, it is still the same issue. When you say that Pedro Infante era un cantante incríble, you may think that he is not longer a good singer and he is still alive. ...fue un cantante increible, would be more appropriate. - farallon7, Mar 28, 2012

But the last box, "Era una cantante incleíble. Is perfect if she is still alive! You can still use era if she is not longet alive, but fue would be precise, not absolutely necesary, but more to the point! - farallon7, Mar 28, 2012

They were talking about someone who recently passed away. - NikkiLR, Mar 28, 2012

Well, my question is... what if you didn't want to focus on the ending, but just how they used to be when they were alive...? - NikkiLR, Mar 28, 2012

Oh ok! Then yes, era un buen cantante or era una buena cantante is fine! - farallon7, Mar 28, 2012

You are the best... thanks for clearing everything up for me!!! =D - NikkiLR, Mar 28, 2012