Events in the past.

Question

Hi all,

Anticipating needing to explain something like "No, this is not my first trip to Mexico. I've been once before, but (back then)/(at that time) I couldn't yet speak any Spanish" I thought I'd go ahead and ask how that might be said.

Maybe:

No, realmente, todavía he estado aquí una vez, pero...

...en esa epoca, todavía no podría hablar español.

...en aquel momento, todavía no podría hablar español.

...en ese momento...

...en ese entonces

...en aquel entonces

No tengo la menor noción cuales son correctos, ni cuales suenan mejor.

Alguien me puede informar?

Muchas gracias.

Answer 1

No es mi primer viaje a México. Fui una vez antes, pero en aquel entonces todavía no hablé español.

• I think it would be OK if you took the 'todavía" out.

No, realmente, todavía he estado aquí una vez, pero...

• Epoca doesn't fit (IMHO) here. I believe epoca is more for referring to specific time periods (like the middle ages, or the 60's, etc), not the recent past in general.

...en esa epoca, todavía no podría hablar español.

• I think these refer to specific moments in time.

...en aquel momento, todavía no podría hablar español.

...en ese momento...

• I think this carries more of the meaning "with that, then..."

...en ese entonces

Those are just my opinions, for whatever they're worth.

Thanks Rodney. Are the others wrong, or just not as good? Thanks! - rogspax, Feb 26, 2013

See my edited response above rogspax. - rodneyp, Feb 27, 2013

Thanks Rodney, and please see my below as well. - rogspax, Mar 2, 2013

I agree, "entonces" is best for this senario, however, it should be "....no hablaba..." (imperfecto) - 005faa61, Mar 2, 2013

Answer 2

OK,

So last night, after large lunches and dinners which were entirely too close to one another (I´m really going to have to hit the gym after this trip) we ended up at an older gentleman´s workshop and small private vintage race motorcycle shop to meet yet more of the literal and figurative extended family.

As anyone who has had the dubious pleasure of being stuck in a room with us already knows, this leads to lots of old stories being brought up. And it turns out, that at least this guy´s preferred choice, is ¨en aquel entonces¨ and it seemed to be used for particular races (I´m sure) but also broader time periods, as in ¨back then, we didn´t have such great tires¨. (I´m less sure I got that right, but it came up enough, that I think so)

Anyway, it´s cool to be talking about this stuff here one day, and then just a few days later be actually using and-or hearing it.

Thanks to all for helping me get there.

Thanks for the story mate, I envy you your good fortune , make the most of it , and enjoy each and every moment. - ray76, Mar 2, 2013

That's great! Good to hear your hard work and dedication is paying off. - rodneyp, Mar 2, 2013

Thanks Ray. You seem to be living by those words pretty well yourself. But yes, I do appreciate it all. I´m super lucky. Lately, great results in racing, language, and even some personal stuff turning around. Must remember this next time I feel bummed - rogspax, Mar 2, 2013