How do I say used to be

Question

I'm trying to say "used to be very old." But I have forgotten how to put it in the past tense.

Many thanks

Bienvenido amigo buena suerte . I hope that I do not cark it before you fill out your profile mate. - ray76, Dec 1, 2014

Answer 1

There is a song, I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.

Maybe it goes to a way of thinking. I don't know.

I was so much older then

:) - rac1, Dec 1, 2014

I wish I could get time to run backward for me. As the German guy says, "Ve get zo zoon olt und zo late schmardt! - Daniela2041, Dec 1, 2014

I voted for you Sandy. - Daniela2041, Dec 1, 2014

Y yo para ti (if this is wrong please correct me :) - sanlee, Dec 1, 2014

I will sing to you Sandy . - ray76, Dec 1, 2014

I would love it! We could have a Skype sing-a-long. - sanlee, Dec 3, 2014

If I could turn back time..... - sanlee, Dec 3, 2014

Answer 2

Just use the imperfect of "ser" which is "era"

Yo era muy viejo/a. You need to 'splain one that to me. Is time running backward for you?

And welcome to SpanishDict. Always great to meet new members.

:) - rac1, Dec 1, 2014

Perfect answer :) - Joydeep_Singh, Dec 1, 2014

Hola, Jimmy! - Daniela2041, Dec 1, 2014

Dice que voté antes - sanlee, Dec 1, 2014

Me gusta esta respuesta - sanlee, Dec 1, 2014

me gusta la chica que escribio esta respuesta ,, haha :) (y la respuesta tambien) - Joydeep_Singh, Dec 1, 2014

Great answer,! Just one suggestion: eXplian not esplain I hope this helps :at - FELIZ77, Dec 1, 2014

I occasionally channel Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) I hope you have watched the "I Love Lucy" show, or this won't make any sense to you. - Daniela2041, Dec 1, 2014

Je je je, I love that show, Dani. - sanlee, Dec 1, 2014

@ Feliz, you should look for episodes on youtube. I think you will like it.:) - sanlee, Dec 1, 2014

Answer 3

Yo era muy viejo, pero me encontré con una mujer feliz , ahora soy joven de nuevo .

I was very old , but I met a happy woman , now I am young again.

--

Es una broma tíos. Todavía soy viejo.

It's a joke guys. I'm still old.

Jajajaja - rac1, Dec 1, 2014

todavia "soy" viejo :) - Joydeep_Singh, Dec 1, 2014

Hi deepest Singh, how are you mate , where have you been ? - ray76, Dec 1, 2014

in your heart sir (siempre) - Joydeep_Singh, Dec 1, 2014

:) - sanlee, Dec 3, 2014

Ray, I have heard that this can happen. Could I become younger? Is it possible? - sanlee, Dec 3, 2014

Answer 4

“Used to “is normally expressed in Spanish by the “Imperfecto”, not by the “Pretérito.” Then,” I used to be very old” would be translated in Spanish by “Era muy viejo (a).” not “Fui muy viejo.” However, even in English the idea of “used to be very old” is problematic. The expression “used to” conveys the idea of a past and repetitive action or state. It is difficult in real life to talk about oneself being old in the past. To be (oneself) old in the past insinuates that today one is not old anymore.

:) - rac1, Dec 1, 2014