Mi hermano él lavaba el coche = my brother would wash the car?

Question

Hello,

Can someone please tell me if "Mi hermano lavaba el coche" would translate to "my brother was washing the car"? Muchas gracias!

Answer 1

More likely:

My brother washed the car (every week) - recurring action in the past without a specified beginning or end.

or..

My brother used to wash the car - a completed action in the past but no beginning or ending point of reference.

My brother was washing the car would be "Mi hermano estaba lavando el coche."

By the way, since you said "Mi hermano" the "él" is not necessary.

Ha! You beat me by 50 seconds! :) - Tosh, Dec 8, 2013

M brother used to wash the car. - annierats, Dec 8, 2013

Thank you very much! - australianmvd, Dec 8, 2013

Answer 2

You could say, "My brother would wash the car", if you are talking about something he did in the past from time to time, yes. You could also think of it as, "My brother used to wash the car".

Now if you mean, "My brother would wash the car tomorrow if someone paid him", then no. That's an whole nother topic.