íbamos al centro comercial

we went to the mall

íbamos al centro comercial

phrase

1. (used to express a habitual action in the past; first person plural)

a. we went to the mall

(United States)

Hace años íbamos al centro comercial, pero ahora preferimos hacer la compra en tiendas pequeñas.

Years ago we went to the mall, but now we prefer to do our shopping in small stores.

b. we went to the shopping center

(United States)

Cuando vivíamos en la ciudad, íbamos al centro comercial dos veces por semana, pero ahora vamos solo una vez.

When we lived in the city, we went to the shopping center twice a week, but now we go only once.

c. we went to the shopping centre

(United Kingdom)

De pequeños, a veces íbamos al centro comercial con nuestros padres, pero ahora hace años que no vamos.

When we were children, we sometimes went to the shopping centre with our parents, but now it's been years since we've been there.

2. (used to express a specific action in the past; first person plural)

a. we were going to the mall

(United States)

Íbamos al centro comercial cuando se nos estropeó el carro. - ¿Y qué hicieron?

We were going to the mall when our car broke down. - And what did you do?

b. we were going to the shopping center

(United States)

¿Qué hacían cuando les llamé antes? - Íbamos al centro comercial.

What were you doing when I called you earlier? - We were going to the shopping center.

c. we were going to the shopping centre

(United Kingdom)

La policía nos paró cuando íbamos al centro comercial. Por lo visto nos habíamos saltado un semáforo en rojo.

The police stopped us as we were going to the shopping centre. Apparently we had gone through a red light.