Bastaba (en. Was enough)

/basˈta.βa/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
verb
Indicates that something is sufficient or adequate.
A single glance at the notes was enough for him to understand the lesson.
Con un solo vistazo a los apuntes, le bastaba para entender la lección.
It is used to express that a condition is fulfilled.
If you arrived on time, that was enough for them to let you in.
Si llegabas a tiempo, eso bastaba para que te dejaran entrar.
It refers to the action of providing what is necessary.
His affection was enough for her to feel happy.
Su cariño le bastaba para sentirse feliz.

Etymology

From the verb 'bastar', which comes from the Latin 'bastare', meaning 'to endure' or 'to be sufficient'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

it wasn't enough with
indicates that something was not sufficient with something.
no bastaba con
it was more than enough
indicates that something is more than sufficient.
bastaba y sobraba
it was enough for
indicates that something met or satisfied a condition.
bastaba para

Related Words

quite
sufficient in quantity, quality, or degree.
bastante
to suffice
to be sufficient or adequate.
bastar
sufficient
that is enough to satisfy what is required.
suficiente

Slang Meanings

When something is not necessary or sufficient.
That was not enough to convince me.
Eso no bastaba para convencerme.
A resource that is considered adequate.
With that, it was already enough to do the job.
Con eso, ya bastaba para hacer el trabajo.