When I lived in Thailand

Question

Hello Could you tell me if this sentence is correct?

Cuando vivía en Tailandia, en mi casa siempre hubía cucarachas

Thanks!

You really want us to answer another question when you have never given any feedback on your "corazón" question. A little courtesy goes a long long way around here. - Daniela2041, Jul 31, 2016

Ohhh, forget about t. I would delete it, but I don't know how. - Matty08, Jul 31, 2016

Do not delete it but "Answer it" and give a thank you vote to those that gave you an answer , what Daniela said is quite correct , courtesy is paramount . - ray76, Aug 1, 2016

Answer 1

As for the first clause, the verb "vivía" is the correct conjugation into the imperfect tense - some people have difficulties deciding whether or not to use the preterite tense instead. Good job on that! The first clause seems to be correctly phrased.

I assume you mean "there were always cockroaches". Hubía would be había. I suppose you had a mix of hubo (preterite) and había (imperfect).

...en mi casa siempre había cucarachas.

Answer 2

Let's check the nuances:

1. Cuando vivía en Tailandia (...) (= the imperfect preterite is used in this case as a repeated action in the past.)
2. Cuando viví en Tailandia (...) (= the perfect preterite is used in this case as a particular action that happened in the past.)

The difference is somewhat subtle, but it's there.

Sometimes the imperfect tense in Spanish is also triggered by using would, but this one is only used with action verbs.

When I was a child, we'd play a lot of football. (= ... jugábamos un montón de fútbol.)

Good answer mate , I notice that your English is very good , you could pass for an English person , at least someone that was brought up in an English speaking home. - ray76, Aug 1, 2016

I was once told that I have the rare particular ability of being a "near-native." - Oshnaj, Aug 1, 2016

Your English is excellent but to my ears rare ability or particular ability or skill but not all three - Mardle, Aug 1, 2016

My teacher said so! Didn't know why he combined those three. - Oshnaj, Aug 1, 2016

Answer 3

Hi Matty There is no need to delete your question about corazon. If when you log on you click on your member's profile it will show the questions you have asked. We are a friendly forum and if you ask a question it shows you have looked at the answers if you give a vote to the answers or if there are comments respond to them. Some people were puzzled by your question. Did you have trouble phrasing it? I see from your profile that you are learning English and Spanish.

Do you want to add to your profile your first language? It is not obligatory but there are members who are fluent in other languages and may be able to give useful tips. This response is more about your earlier question. This one is clear.

I have been to Thailand.