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"Estuviera" is a form of "estar", a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". "Hubiera" is a form of "haber", an auxiliary verb which is often translated as "to have". Learn more about the difference between "estuviera" and "hubiera" below.
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.
haber(
ah
-
behr
)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 have
Nunca habían ido a Costa Rica antes del verano pasado.They had never been to Costa Rica before last summer.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
3. (to exist)
a. to be (used with "there")
No hay azúcar.There is no sugar.
No hubo tiempo para saludar a todos en la fiesta.There wasn't enough time to say hi to everyone at the party.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No sé si habrá tiempo para comer algo.I don't know if there will be enough time to eat something.
Tiempo ha del terremoto.The earthquake occurred a long time ago.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to have)
a. to bear
Los hijos habidos de la aventura no fueron reconocidos por su padre.The children borne of the affair were not recognized by their father.
7. (to happen)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El espectáculo habido esta semana está completamente vendido.This week's performance is totally sold out.
El accidente habido ayer resultó en dos fatalidades.Yesterday's accident resulted in two fatalities.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
8. (properties)
a. asset
Su haber consistía en la empresa familiar y dos mansiones.Her assets consist of the family business and two mansions.
9. (accounting)
a. credit side
El total del deber y del haber tienen que ser iguales.The debit and credit side totals must be equal.
10. (achievement)
a. credit
Tiene tres artículos publicados a su haber.She has three published articles to her credit.
los haberes
haberse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
12. (to confront)
a. to have it out with somebody
Se las va a haber con su hermano si no paran de discutir.He's going to have it out with his brother if they don't stop arguing.
