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estaba tratando de

was trying to

→ estar
phrase Rare #24,593
was trying to Used for ongoing effort in the past; often followed by an infinitive.
SP: Estaba tratando de llamar, pero no contestaste.
EN: I was trying to call, but you didn't answer.

Estaba tratando de ayudar.

I was trying to help.

— El cartero (y Pablo Neruda) (1994)

Layla pensó que yo estaba tratando de robarle el marido.

Layla thought I was trying to steal her husband.

Tal vez sólo estaba tratando de protegerme a mí mismo.

Maybe I was just trying to protect myself.

— Hunting Season (2025)

Solo estaba tratando de ayudar.

I was just trying to help.

Es lo que le estaba tratando de decir.

That's what I was trying to tell you.

Tom estaba tratando de no entrar en pánico.

Tom was trying not to panic.

Estaba tratando de averiguar dónde iba a estar Verónica a continuación.

I was trying to figure out where Veronica was going to be next.

— Ahora me ves 3 (2025)

Tom murió en el acto cuando la bomba que estaba tratando de desactivar explotó.

Tom died instantly when the bomb he was trying to defuse exploded.

Quise ayudar a Tom a comprender lo que Mary estaba tratando de decirle.

I wanted to help Tom understand what Mary was trying to tell him.

Estaba tratando de hacerle un favor a tus sábanas.

I was trying to do your sheets a favor.

— Hunting Season (2025)

Sólo estaba tratando de ayudarlo.

I was just trying to help him.

— Sin piedad (2026)

Yo sólo estaba tratando de responder a tu pregunta.

I was just trying to answer your question.

— El recuerdo de Marnie (2014)