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"There was" is a phrase which is often translated as "hubo", and "once upon a time" is a phrase which is often translated as "érase una vez". Learn more about the difference between "there was" and "once upon a time" below.
there was(
thehr
wuhz
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
once upon a time(
wuhns
uh
-
pan
uh
taym
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (literary) (general)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. érase una vez (literary)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
Once upon a time, there was a very poor boy named Aladdin.Érase una vez un niño muy pobre llamado Aladino.
b. había una vez (literary)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
Once upon a time, there was an ugly duckling.Había una vez un patito feo.
