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"Hacía" is a form of "hacer", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to do". "Estaba haciendo" is a form of "estaba haciendo", a phrase which is often translated as "he was doing". Learn more about the difference between "hacía" and "estaba haciendo" below.
hacer(
ah
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to produce)
b. to prepare
Nos reuniremos este fin de semana para hacer la presentación.We will meet this weekend to prepare the presentation.
3. (to create)
a. to make
Hoy les enseñaré a hacer su propio sitio web.Today I'll show you how to make your own website.
a. to make
Estoy ocupado haciendo los preparativos para la fiesta.I'm busy making preparations for the party.
a. to do
Me mandó que lavara los platos pero ya lo había hecho.He told me to wash the dishes but I had already done it.
6. (to acquire)
7. (to cause)
8. (to imagine)
12. (to behave)
13. (to gross)
14. (to take time)
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
16. (time)
hacerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to make oneself
Creo que voy a hacerme un puré de zanahorias esta noche.I think I'm going to make myself some carrot soup tonight.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
20. (to feign)
a. to pretend
No te hagas el santo; tú también te equivocas.Don't pretend to be a saint; you make mistakes, too.
21. (to turn into)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ya va siendo hora de que se haga cortar el pelo.It's about time he had his hair cut.
Vamos a hacernos pintar la casa después del verano.We're going to have the house painted after the summer.
23. (to manage to)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Daniela solo ayuda en clase para hacerse ver.Daniela only helps out in class to get noticed.
Deberíamos darle una oportunidad para hacerse oír.We should give him a chance to be heard.
25. (to appear)
a. to feel
Hoy se me hizo muy largo esperando los resultados de la prueba.Today felt really long waiting for my test results.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El curso se me está haciendo aburrido.I'm finding the course boring.
La película se me hizo interminable.The movie seemed interminable.
estaba haciendo(
ehs
-
tah
-
bah
ah
-
syehn
-
doh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. he was doing
Cuando llamé a Carlos, estaba haciendo la tarea de matemáticas.When I called Carlos, he was doing his math homework.
b. she was doing
No sé qué estaba haciendo, pero parecía muy concentrada.I don't know what she was doing, but she seemed to be very focused.
c. it was doing
¿El gobierno no hizo nada por ellos? - Sí, estaba haciendo lo posible por extraditarlos.And didn't the government do anything for them? - Yes, it was doing all it could to extradite them.
d. was doing
En aquel entonces, María estaba haciendo la carrera de historia.Maria was doing a history degree back then.
2. (formal) (you were carrying out; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you were doing
Cuando estaba haciendo la tareas de la casa, ¿no soñaba a veces con una vida totalmente distinta?When you were doing the housework, didn't you sometimes dream of a totally different life?
a. I was doing
Cuando era joven, siempre estaba haciendo algo, pero ahora me cuesta moverme.When I was young, I was always doing something, but I find it difficult to move now.
a. he was making
Luis dijo que estaba haciendo una casa de juguete para sus hijas.Luis said he was making a dollhouse for his daughters.
c. it was making
Apagué el aire acondicionado porque estaba haciendo mucho ruido.I turned off the air-conditioning because it was making a lot of noise.
5. (formal) (you were producing; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you were making
¿Las natillas que estaba haciendo son para la comida o para la cena?Is the custard you were making for lunch or for dinner?
a. I was making
¿Qué hacías en la cocina? - Estaba haciendo un bizcocho porque sé que les gusta.What were you making in the kitchen? - I was making a sponge cake because I know you like it.
