estaba comiendo
/estaba komjendo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I was eating" is expressed as estaba comiendo.
This is a statement used to describe an action that was in progress in the past.
Which one should you use?
The phrase estaba comiendo emphasizes the action in progress at a specific moment. In contrast, the simple imperfect comía can also mean "I was eating" but often implies a habitual action in the past.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal expression estaba dándole a la comida is common in Mexico and the Caribbean. In Spain, the phrase estaba picando algo is a popular way to say I was eating, conveying the idea of eating small portions or having a quick snack.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form estaba comiendo uses the imperfect indicative of estar to indicate a continuous action in the past. Another way to express "I was eating" is Estuve comiendo.
Did you know?
- While comiendo comes from the verb comer, in some Spanish-speaking regions, comer refers specifically to the mid-day meal, the most important meal of the day, rather than the general act of eating.
- In Spanish, the act of eating can be described using the reflexive form comerse, which suggests the person ate the entire portion or ate it with particular gusto.
- If you want to say you were 'grazing' or snacking on bits of food, you can use the verb picando, which literally means 'pecking' like a bird.
Examples in context
- Yo estaba comiendo un sándwich.I was eating a sandwich.This example shows how to use estaba comiendo to describe a specific action involving a sandwich.Tatoeba #4439022 by Shishir, translation #2769025 by CM
- Estaba comiendo cuando me llamaste.I was eating when you called me.This sentence demonstrates using estaba comiendo to describe an action interrupted by a phone call.Tatoeba #1085046 by hayastan, translation #5267237 by tabular
- Anoche tuve un sueño en el que estaba comiendo abejas.Last night I dreamt I was eating bees.This sentence shows how to use estaba comiendo within a dream description.Tatoeba #4435177 by User87977, translation #4433684 by shekitten
- Le dije al cliente que yo estaba comiendo cuando recibí su llamada.I told the client that I was eating when I received his call.
- Ayer, estuve comiendo en ese nuevo restaurante elegante.Yesterday, I was eating at that new fancy restaurant.
- Estaba tan hambriento que estaba comiendo todo el tiempo.I was so hungry that I was eating all the time.
- Después del partido, mis amigos y yo estábamos dándole a la comida en el restaurante cercano.After the game, my friends and I were chowing down in the nearby restaurant.
- Cuando llegaste a casa, estaba picando algo en la cocina.When you arrived home, I was snacking in the kitchen.
- Justo antes de la reunión, estaba almorzando con un colega.Right before the meeting, I was having lunch with a colleague.
- Por la mañana, estaba desayunando tostadas con aceite de oliva.In the morning, I was having breakfast with toast and olive oil.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking on the phone about why he didn't answer.
- Sofía¿Por qué no contestaste el teléfono?Why didn't you answer the phone?
- AlejandroLo siento, estaba comiendo con mi familia.I'm sorry, I was eating with my family.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, entiendo.Don't worry, I understand.
- AlejandroGracias por comprender, Sofía.Thanks for understanding, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
