Estaba vs. Estuve

[Miss Auburn]

Here is a grammatical obstacle for me: when to say "estuve" and when to say "estaba". In general I understand the differences between preterito and imperfecto, but this one really gets me! I tend to use "estaba" more just because I don't know of a proper occasion to use "estuve". For example, "Estaba en la cama quando sonó el teléfono". Perhaps someone can give me some examples of "estuve" or "estuvo" in typical speech. Thanks!!!!

[landlady]

I have been told that estaba is used much more, but you would use estuve for something that happened once and is now finished, estaba, as you probably know, for habitual things, or describing things. I was given an example which helped me, if I can remember it correctly.

Estuvo un accidente anoche! Mi coche (or cara in S.A.) estaba dañaron

Tell me if I've got it wrong folk

[Miss Auburn]

Thanks for the reply, Landlady. I can see how "There was an accident" should definitely contain some sort of preterito, although I always imagined that "Hubo un accidente" was the way to say it. Can you say "Estuvo un accidente anoche" as well? I think you can say (referring to person) "(él) estuvo en un accidente anoche". (He was in an accident last night) Or would you end up saying "estaba en un accidente anoche"?

Yikes! This estuvo business is confusing!!!!

[timg]

Cuidado con los términos. Como lo entiendo (pero estoy dispuesto a que me corrijais ), todos los pasados en español se llaman "pretéritos". El uso del término "preterito" para el "pretérito indefinido" es una mala traducción.
Así que, los pasados son:
el pretérito perfecto, el pretérito indefinido, el pretérito imperfecto, el pretérito pluscuamperfecto, etc.
Ver: estos ejemplos

[Markitos]

Originally Posted by landlady

I have been told that estaba is used much more, but you would use estuve for something that happened once and is now finished, estaba, as you probably know, for habitual things, or describing things. I was given an example which helped me, if I can remember it correctly.

Estuvo un accidente anoche! Mi coche (or cara in S.A.) estaba dañaron

Tell me if I've got it wrong folk

Be careful!

HUBO un accidente anoche! verbo HABER.

You can use ESTUVO (preterito perfecto simple) for FINISHED ACTIONS.

Miguel estuvo anoche en el accidente. Fue terrible.

And ESTABA when action is not finished when you talk about it.

Miguel estaba en el accidente anoche cuando vino la policía.

[landlady]

Thanks Markitos, I remember being told that its hubo now. Sorry Miss Auburn, Im still struggling to remember the preterit/imperfect where's and why for's myself. Am I correct in saying that you use the imperfect for describing things in the past though?

[Miss Auburn]

Yes, this is definitely confusing stuff. Thanks for the replies, folks! Maybe someone can help me with the difference between these two lines:

"LLamé a mi amigo, y me dijo que su esposa estaba enferma"

"Llamé a mi amigo, y me dijo que su esposa estuvo enferma"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe either sentence could be used. Is the difference that in the first line "his wife was sick" and in the second "his wife was sick" (at the time of the call but is better now)? So confusing, but how wonderful that Spanish is so specific and subtle! We just make blanket statements in English that are really vague......

[timg]

Originally Posted by Miss Auburn

Yes, this is definitely confusing stuff. Thanks for the replies, folks! Maybe someone can help me with the difference between these two lines:

"LLamé a mi amigo, y me dijo que su esposa estaba enferma"

"Llamé a mi amigo, y me dijo que su esposa estuvo enferma"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe either sentence could be used. Is the difference that in the first line "his wife was sick" and in the second "his wife was sick" (at the time of the call but is better now)? So confusing, but how wonderful that Spanish is so specific and subtle! We just make blanket statements in English that are really vague......

For these examples, it's often easier to think of what the person would have been saying at the time:
"mi esposa está enferma" - when put as indirect speach "me dijo que su esposa estaba enferma"

"mi esposa estuvo enferma" - (though doesn't sound quite right) - "me dijo que su esposa había estado enferma".

Take a look at the page about estilo indirecto.

The estilo indirecto mirrors quite closely its usage in English.
saludos,
tim

[Markitos]

Originally Posted by Miss Auburn

Yes, this is definitely confusing stuff. Thanks for the replies, folks! Maybe someone can help me with the difference between these two lines:

"LLamé a mi amigo, y me dijo que su esposa estaba enferma"

"Llamé a mi amigo, y me dijo que su esposa estuvo enferma"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe either sentence could be used. Is the difference that in the first line "his wife was sick" and in the second "his wife was sick" (at the time of the call but is better now)? So confusing, but how wonderful that Spanish is so specific and subtle! We just make blanket statements in English that are really vague......

It's the same I told you before. estuvo, finished, estaba, not finished.

"LLamé a mi amigo, y me dijo que su esposa estaba enferma"

Action is not finished when you called your friend because she felt ill in the moment of the call.

"Llamé a mi amigo, y me dijo que su esposa estuvo enferma"

Action is finished when you called your friend , She doesn't felt ill in the moment of the call you made.