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"Andaba" is a form of "andar", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to walk". "Estuve" is a form of "estar", a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "andaba" and "estuve" below.
andar, el andar(
ahn
-
dahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to walk
"Cuando ando, me canso mucho", le dijo la anciana a su médico."When I walk, I get very tired," the old woman told her doctor.
Voy andando al colegio todos los días.I walk to school every day.
2. (to mount; used with "en") (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to take
Yo siempre ando en tren cuando regreso al hogar.I always take the train when returning home.
En el verano ella anda en bicicleta al trabajo.In the summer she takes her bike to work.
4. (to operate)
a. to hang out with
¿Sabías que tu hijo anda con una gente muy rara?Did you know your son hangs out with some very strange people?
a. to go out with
¿Sabías que Ana anda con Miguel? - ¡No, no lo sabía! ¿Desde cuándo?Did you know that Ana is going out with Miguel? - No, I didn't! Since when?
a. to be around
El costo medio de un sitio web anda por los $2000.The average cost of a website is around $2000.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to walk
Estoy agotada porque esta mañana anduve 20 kilómetros.I'm exhausted because I walked 20 kilometers this morning.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
10. (movement)
a. gait
Lo conocí de lejos por ese andar raro que tiene.I recognized him from a distance by his strange gait.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Qué andar tan raro tienen esos jóvenes!The way those youths walk is really strange!
Se le nota en el andar que tiene mucho dolor.You can tell by the way she walks that she's in a lot of pain.
andarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
los andares
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
12. (movement)
a. gait
El jefe entró en nuestra sala con andares decididos y dijo, "Tengo algo importante que comunicarles".The boss entered our room with a determined gait and said, "I have something important to tell you."
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me gusta todo de ti, hasta los andares.I like everything about you, even the way you walk.
El Charlot de Charlie Chaplin tiene unos andares totalmente inconfundibles.The way Charlie Chaplin's tramp walks is completely unmistakeable.
estar(
ehs
-
tahr
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
a. to be
Estoy enojada porque me acaban de dar una multa de estacionamiento.I am angry because I just got a parking ticket.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be on (vacation, trip, call)
Estaremos de vacaciones en Europa el verano entero.We're going to be on vacation in Europe all summer long.
c. to be working as
Está de recepcionista hasta que consiga un mejor trabajo.He's working as a receptionist until he finds something better.
6. (to feel)
7. (to appear)
8. (to visit)
9. (to be done)
10. (to exist)
a. to be
Luego está el trabajo que queda por hacer.Then there is the work that still needs to be done.
a. to be in the mood for
No estoy para tus estupideces a estas horas.I am not in the mood for your nonsense at this time of night.
13. (to fit)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No quiero que camines sola por la noche, ¿está?I don't want you walking alone at night, understood?
Nos encontraremos a las siete para ir al cine, ¿estamos?We'll meet at seven to go to the movie, all right?
a. to be in favor of
Los estudiantes están por un aumento en ayuda financiera de parte de la universidad.The students are in favor of the university providing more financial aid.
a. to agree with
Estoy con Ana Sofía; no quiero escuchar más peleas entre ustedes.I agree with Ana Sofía. I don't want to hear anymore fighting between the two of you.
a. to be
¡El termómetro dice que está a 25 grados Fahrenheit pero que se siente como 6!The thermometer says it's 25 degrees Fahrenheit out but that it feels like 6!
a. to be
Mientras el hemisferio norte está en invierno, el hemisferio sur está en verano.It is winter in the Northern Hemisphere when it's summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
a. to be
El banco está a tres cuadras de la plaza central.The bank is three blocks from the town square.
a. to remain to be
Está por verse si lloverá en la tarde.It remains to be seen whether it will rain this afternoon.
a. to be going to
Las nubes en la distancia indican que estará por llover esta noche.The clouds in the distance indicate that it is going to rain tonight.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo tres libros que están sin terminar.I have three books that I still have to finish reading.
Estoy sin comer desde temprano esta mañana.I haven't eaten anything since early this morning.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to be
El cuarto está organizado, ¡así que no hagas desorden!The room is organized. Don't make a mess!
estarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
26. (to remain)
c. to keep
Diles a los niños que se estén callados un rato, que quiero escuchar las noticias.Tell the kids to keep quiet a minute; I want to listen to the news.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Estate tranquilo; yo lo soluciono.Don't worry; I'll sort it out.
Estate atento porque solo llaman el número una vez.Pay attention because they only call out the number once.
