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"Have been" is a form of "have been", a copular verb which is often translated as "haber sido". "Went" is a form of "go", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "ir". Learn more about the difference between "have been" and "went" below.
have been(
hahv
bihn
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
a. haber sido
Yolanda has been the owner of this restaurant since 2003, when she acquired from her old boss.Yolanda ha sido la dueña de este restaurante desde 2003, cuando lo adquirió de su antiguo jefe.
b. no direct translation (for time periods)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I have been a teacher at this school for ten years.Llevo diez años como profesor en esta escuela.
You've been the one making all the decisions for too long. Give someone else a chance.Llevas demasiado tiempo siendo el que toma todas las decisiones. Dale una oportunidad a otro.
a. haber estado
Everyone's been fed up with Greg's complaining.Todos han estado hartos de las quejas de Greg.
b. no direct translation (for specific time periods)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
My friend has been in the United States for two years.Mi amigo lleva dos años en Estados Unidos.
You've been in the bathroom for 40 minutes! Come on!¡Llevas 40 minutos en el baño! ¡Vamos!
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. haber sido
This park has always been for the whole community. We can’t let them privatize it.Este parque siempre ha sido para toda la comunidad. No podemos dejar que lo privaticen.
a. haber estado
Where have you been all day? We’ve been looking for you.¿Dónde has estado todo el día? Te estábamos buscando.
b. no direct translation (for a specific time period)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Molly had been in Mexico for two years when she met Carlos.Molly llevaba dos años en México cuando conoció a Carlos.
The cat has been in the closet for 16 hours.El gato lleva 16 horas en el armario.
go(
go
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. ir
Does this bus go to the city center?¿Va este bus al centro de la ciudad?
Go to your room.Ve a tu habitación.
2. (to leave)
a. ir
I hope everything goes well for you in the new job.Espero que todo te vaya bien en el trabajo nuevo.
4. (to become)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Carla went white with fear.Carla se puso blanca de miedo.
The fans went crazy when the band came on stage.Los fans se enloquecieron cuando el grupo salió al escenario.
6. (to extend)
8. (to be left)
10. (to fit)
11. (to be sold)
a. ir al baño
She had bladder problems and needed to go all the time.Tenía problemas de la vejiga y tenía que ir al baño constantemente.
14. (to be the rule)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Anything goes in that household.Todo vale en esa casa.
What I say goes.Yo soy la que manda aquí.
15. (to die)
a. llegar la hora
When I go, I don't want a big funeral.Cuando me llegue la hora, no quiero un gran funeral.
16. (to be consumed)
18. (to disappear)
a. desaparecer
When she got back home, her husband was gone.Cuando volvió a casa, su marido había desaparecido.
20. (to dispose of)
a. deshacerse de
All your old clothes have to go if you want to buy more.Tienes que deshacerte de toda tu ropa vieja si quieres comprar más.
22. (to be)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I won't let my children go hungry.No voy a dejar que mi hijos pasen hambre.
Their pleas went unheard.Sus súplicas no fueron atendidas.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I'll have whatever's going.Tomaré lo que haya.
There's plenty of beer going around if you're interested.Hay mucha cerveza por aquí si quieres.
24. (to continue)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
How many years has the choir been going?¿Cuántos años lleva funcionando el coro?
She would go for days without seeing another soul.Pasaba días enteros sin ver a un alma.
a. sonar
The alarm goes off if someone forces the door.La alarma suena cuando alguien fuerza la puerta.
26. (to be destined)
b. llevarse
First prize went to a graphic designer.El primer premio se lo llevó un diseñador gráfico.
27. (to match)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
28. (to travel)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
We went 70 miles in one day.Hicimos 70 millas en un día.
We'll go this way because there is less traffic.Seguiremos este camino porque hay menos tráfico.
29. (colloquial) (to say)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
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. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Don't touch that! - I wasn't going to.¡No toques eso! - No pensaba hacerlo.
I'm going to mow the lawn this afternoon.Voy a cortar el césped esta tarde.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
to-go
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
35. (idiom) (to be eaten elsewhere)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
a. para llevar
I don't think I can finish all this food. Would you bring me a to-go box?No creo que pueda terminar toda esta comida. ¿Me traería una cajita para llevar?
We ordered our food to go so that we could continue working.Pedimos la comida para llevar para poder continuar trabajando.
36. (idiom) (remaining)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Only one day to go until your birthday!¡Solo falta un día para tu cumpleaños!
Two weeks to go until Holy Week.Faltan dos semanas para Semana Santa.
