era stato

had been

→ essere

phrase Uncommon #10,360

had been Used to form the past perfect of essere, often in passive sentences. The form changes to “era stata” with a feminine singular subject.

IT: Il museo era stato chiuso per lavori.

EN: The museum had been closed for renovations.

Era stato avvertito molte volte ma non ha mai ascoltato nessuno.

He had been warned many times but he never listened to anyone.

Che era stato rapinato.

Who had been robbed.

— Mystic River (2003)

Era stato inviato di guerra.

He had been a war correspondent.

— Passengers (2016)

Un Codice Rosso era stato ordinato dal tenente Kendrick.

A Code Red had been ordered by Lieutenant Kendrick.

— Codice d'onore (1992)

Ma, due sere prima, quel chirurgo era stato avvelenato.

But, two nights before, that surgeon had been poisoned.

— Bullet Train (2022)

Mi era stato chiesto di aspettare qui.

I was asked to wait here.

Era stato catturato da un verme volante.

He had been captured by a flying worm.

— Nausicaä della Valle del vento (1984)

Tutto era stato fatto, niente era stato dimenticato.

Everything had been done, nothing had been forgotten.

— La fiamma del peccato (1944)

Il parlamento era stato sciolto e il Presidente era scappato.

Parliament had been dissolved and the President had fled.

— L'ultimo imperatore (1987)

È andata fuori di testa quando ha saputo che Fumaca era stato portato via.

She went out of her mind when she found out that Fumaca had been taken away.

— Pixote, la legge del più debole (1980)

Ammise che non era stato educato.

He admitted that he hadn't been educated.

Ha detto che era stato umiliato.

He said that he had been humiliated.

Disse che era stato occupato.

He said he had been busy.

Ti era stato detto di non farti mai vedere su questo treno.

You were told never to be seen on this train.

— C'era una volta il West (1968)

Mi era stato ordinato di prenderlo a Pejite.

I was ordered to get it in Pejite.

— Nausicaä della Valle del vento (1984)

Qualche giorno fa, il corpo del marito era stato trovato qui.

A few days ago, the husband's body had been found here.

— Andhadhun (2018)

Mi ha detto che era stato sospeso.

He told me that he had been suspended.

Era stato bollito.

It had been boiled.

Che era stato scoperto in Italia.

Which had been discovered in Italy.

— It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

Il tizio nella stanza davanti era stato colpito alla pancia e a un polmone.

The guy in the room up front had been shot in the stomach and one lung.

Suo marito era stato ammazzato e lei doveva crescere le figlie.

Her husband had been murdered and she had to raise her daughters.

— City of God (2002)

Ha detto che era stato occupato.

He said he had been busy.

Disse che era stato impegnato.

He said he had been busy.

Mi era stato dato tutto ciò che conta molto tempo fa.

Everything that matters had been given to me a long time ago.

— Suzume (2022)

Era stato colpito da una palla in un occhio.

He had been hit in the eye by a ball.

Sigi era stato ritrovato.

Sigi had been found.

— Il nastro bianco (2009)

Il ragazzo era stato rimandato al riformatorio.

The boy had been sent back to reform school.

— Les choristes - I ragazzi del coro (2004)

Era stato tutto prestato.

It had all been lent out.

Il suo tetto era stato danneggiato.

Its roof had been damaged.

Lei fece quello che le era stato detto.

She did what she was told.

Nello stesso modo in cui era stato insegnato a suo padre, nonno e bisnonno.

The same way his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had been taught.

— Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Il Castello dell’Infinito (2025)