eravamo
The English phrase "we were" is translated into Italian as eravamo.
eravamo is used to describe states, locations or background conditions in the past.
Which one should you use?
eravamo is the imperfect tense, used to set the scene or describe ongoing and habitual states in the past. In contrast, if you are describing a completed action or a specific, finished event in the past, you would use siamo stati.
Did you know?
- The word eravamo actually comes from a medieval linguistic mistake. It was originally a 'hypercorrection' where speakers thought the form erāmus was incorrect and added a 'b' to make it sound more formal or standard.
- In Italian, you can completely drop the word for 'we' when using eravamo. The verb ending itself acts as a built-in pronoun that identifies the subject for the listener.
- In Italian, the phrase eravamo can be used to describe a childhood habit, acting as a 'nostalgia' marker that transforms 'we were' into 'we used to be'.
Examples in context
- Non eravamo a casa.We were not at home.This sentence is useful for expressing that we were not at home.Tatoeba #6215290 by Guybrush88, translation #6215283 by leean
- Noi eravamo di fuori.We were outside.This sentence is useful for expressing that we were outside.Tatoeba #3364971 by Guybrush88, translation #3081282 by faehrmann
- Noi eravamo a Boston.We were in Boston.This sentence is useful for expressing that we were in Boston.Tatoeba #5873018 by Guybrush88, translation #2648254 by CK
- Eravamo felici di vedervi.We were happy to see you.
- Eravamo in ritardo perché c'era molto traffico.We were late because there was a lot of traffic.
- Eravamo molto impegnati quel giorno.We were very busy that day.
- Siamo stati in vacanza insieme.We were on vacation together.
- Siamo stati al cinema ieri sera.We were at the movies last night.
- Siamo stati felici di rivederti dopo tanto tempo.We were happy to see you again after such a long time.
- 631 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are talking about their old school.
- MatteoEravamo molto giovani in quella scuola.We were very young in that school.
- GiuliaSì, eravamo davvero piccoli!Yes, we were really small!
- MatteoTi ricordi dove eravamo seduti?Do you remember where we were sitting?
- GiuliaSì, eravamo in fondo alla classe.Yes, we were at the back of the class.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eravamo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
