Habian (en. There were)

/a'βjan/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
verb
It is used to indicate the existence of something in the past.
By the time they arrived, they had already finished the task.
Cuando llegaron, ya habían terminado la tarea.
Indicates the action of having in the past to form compound tenses.
They had eaten before we arrived.
Ellos habían comido antes de que llegáramos.
Used in conditional sentences in the past.
If they had known, they would have come.
Si hubieran sabido, habrían venido.

Etymology

From Latin 'habere', which means to have.

Common Phrases and Expressions

they had passed
Indicates that a period of time has already elapsed.
habían pasado
if they had known
Used in hypothetical situations from the past.
si hubieran sabido
they had done
Refers to an action completed earlier.
habían hecho

Related Words

to have
Auxiliary verb used to form compound tenses.
haber
speaking
Form of the gerund of the verb to speak.
hablando
room
Enclosed space used for living or working.
habitación

Slang Meanings

Used in colloquial language to refer to the existence of something.
At the party, there were already so many people that no one else could fit.
En la fiesta, ya habían tantas personas que no cabía nadie más.
Emphasized use to indicate that something was inevitable or predictable.
If you thought about it, there were already signs that it was going to rain.
Si lo pensabas bien, ya habían señales de que iba a llover.