era meglio

it was better

→ essere

phrase Uncommon #18,759

it was better Often used in hindsight to say that something would have been better; it can be followed by an infinitive or a clause with “if.”

IT: Era meglio partire prima.

EN: It would have been better to leave earlier.

L'avevo detto io, era meglio prendere il pullman.

I told you so; we should have taken the bus.

— Happy Together (1997)

Era meglio essere educati, e chiamare l'avvocato.

It would have been better to be polite and call the lawyer.

— Quei bravi ragazzi (1990)

Per noi era meglio di uno sportello bancario.

For us it was better than a bank branch.

— Quei bravi ragazzi (1990)

Era meglio se facevo quello.

It would have been better if I had done that.

— Effetto notte (1973)

L'ho avvertito che il locale non funzionava; ha risposto che era meglio.

I warned him that the venue wasn't working; he replied that it was better that way.

— Volver - Tornare (2006)

Lei era una brava ragazza e forse lui era meglio di quanto sembrasse.

She was a good girl and maybe he was better than he seemed.

— La fiamma del peccato (1944)

Per te era meglio continuare senza di me.

It would have been better for you to continue without me.

— Central do Brasil (1998)

Senza offesa, ma il mondo era meglio prima.

No offense, but the world was better before.

— Una pallottola spuntata (2025)

Era meglio la prima classe, cazzo!

First class was better, damn it!

— Bullet Train (2022)

Grazie, era meglio nelle prove.

Thanks, it was better in rehearsals.

— Rushmore (1998)

Decisi che era meglio chiederglielo.

I decided it was better to ask him.

Ho iniziato a tirarla, ma ho deciso che era meglio di no.

I started to pull it, but decided it was best not to.

— L'agente segreto (2025)

Era meglio quello della gente che scopa.

The one about people who fuck was better.

— Perfetti sconosciuti (2016)

Era meglio l'altra balla.

The other lie was better.

— La storia fantastica (1987)

Era meglio non starmi tra i piedi, visto che non mi hai ucciso.

It would have been better if you had stayed out of my way since you didn't kill me.

— I Saw the Devil (2010)

Forse era meglio se non venivo io a prenderla.

Maybe it would have been better if I hadn't come and picked her up.

— Mosca non crede alle lacrime (1980)

Oggi era meglio.

Today was better.