What does it mean word for word?
The phrase solo quería ver cómo estabas literally translates to 'I only wanted to see how you were'.
Which one should you use?
While solo quería ver cómo estabas uses the imperfect indicative 'estabas' to refer to the person's state of being, other variations like Solo quería ver cómo estás mean 'I just wanted to see how you're doing'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions have preferred ways to say this. In Mexico, you can use Solo quería checar cómo estás to mean 'I just wanted to check how you're doing'. In Spain, the informal expression Quería saber cómo andabas is used to ask how someone is doing or feeling. In Argentina, the phrase Solo quería ver si estás bien is often used in a friendly and intimate context to mean 'I just wanted to see if you're okay'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people, change estabas to estaban.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Te llamé porque solo quería ver cómo estabas.I called you because I just wanted to see how you were doing.
- Solo quería ver cómo estabas después de la cirugía.I just wanted to see how you were doing after the surgery.
- No te preocupes, solo quería ver cómo estabas.Don't worry, I just wanted to see how you were doing.
Example conversation
Alejandro calls Lucía to see how she is feeling after a long day.
- AlejandroHola Lucía, solo quería ver cómo estabas.Hi Lucía, I just wanted to see how you were doing.
- LucíaHola Alejandro, estoy bien, gracias por preguntar.Hi Alejandro, I'm fine, thanks for asking.
- AlejandroMe alegra mucho escucharlo.I am very happy to hear that.
- LucíaEres muy amable, de verdad.You are very kind, truly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, solo, ver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
