What is the Meaning Of Iba?
What is the meaning of iba? I don't really get it. Thanks
1 Answer
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Iba is the first and third person imperfect form of ir.
http://www.spanishdict.com/conjugate/iba
Ir is most usually translated as "to go" although it can have a number of other uses:
http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/ir
Imperfect typically is equated to "used to" or "was" in English and typically refers to either open time periods, or repetitive actions.
http://www.spanishdict.com/guide/spanish-imperfect-tense-forms
Iba thus can mean used to go, was going, went depending on the context, although other possibilities exist-
Iba a la casa de mi abuela todos los años cuando era niño. I used to go to my grandmother's house every year when I was a child. I went to my grandmother's house every year when I was a boy. Repetitive action. You might also use solía ir for the used to go, depending on the nuance you want.
Iba a la casa de mi abuela cuando tuve un accidente. I was going to my grandmother's house when I had an accident. Open ended action never completed set in past. Or at least I am not going to tell if it was. Maybe I went to her house, maybe I never made it there- that is not what's important in what I am saying- it is just the setting for the accident, why I was out and about.
Iba a comer en la casa de mi abuela, pero no pude ir. I was going to eat at my grandmother's house, but I was not able to go, I did not succeed in going. Voy a "future" from a past perspective.
Depending on the context, other possibilities exist.
