ella era

she was

ella era(eh-yah eh-rah)

phrase

1. (used to talk about identity)

a. she was

Ella era mi tía abuela, no mi abuela.

She was my great-aunt, not my grandmother.

2. (used to talk about characteristics)

a. she was

Ella era muy bromista, mientras que mi bisabuelo era un hombre muy serio.

She was a real joker, while my great-grandfather was a very serious man.

b. she used to be

Ella era muy guapa cuando era joven. Bueno, lo sigue siendo.

She used to be very beautiful when she was young. Well, she still is.

3. (used to talk about origin; used with "de")

a. she was from

¿Te acuerdas de dónde eran los amigos de Irene? - Ella era de Burgos, y él de León.

Do you remember where Irene's friends were from? - She was from Burgos, and he was from Leon.