vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Había" is a form of "haber", an auxiliary verb which is often translated as "to have". "Fui" is a form of "ser", a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "había" and "fui" below.
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.
ser(
sehr
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be made of
El casillero antiguo de mi abuela es de roble.My grandma's antique dresser is made of oak.
a. to root for
Yo soy del mejor equipo del mundo: FC Barcelona.I root for the best team in the world: FC Barcelona.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
a. to be
Son las siete de la mañana.It is seven in the morning.
Era de noche cuando llegaron.It was night when they arrived.
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 edificio fue diseñado por un equipo de arquitectos.The building was built by a team of architects.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
