iba a

was going to

→ ir
phrase Very common #1,112
was going to Usually followed by an infinitive. Most often it expresses an intended or expected action in the past. In some contexts, especially with places or repeated actions, it keeps the literal idea of movement: iba a verla = went to see her.
SP: Iba a llamarte, pero se me olvidó.
EN: I was going to call you, but I forgot.

Pero iba a trabajar en el proyecto con Larissa, ¿no?

But you were going to work on the project with Larissa, right?

— A primera vista (2014)

Creí que iba a morirme.

I thought I was going to die.

— El experimento (2001)

Tom iba a beber casi todas las noches.

Tom would drink almost every night.

Iba a preguntarte lo mismo.

I was going to ask you the same thing.

— Dangal (2016)

Tom me preguntó si sabía a qué hora iba a comenzar la reunión.

Tom asked me if I knew what time the meeting was going to start.

Nunca pensé que la iba a conocer en esa fiesta.

I never thought I would meet her at that party.

Iba a decírtelo.

I was going to tell you.

— Mystic River (2003)

Acerté que el gobierno iba a subir excesivamente los impuestos.

I was right that the government was going to raise taxes excessively.

Él iba a ayudarme a matar a La Muerte Blanca en Kioto.

He was going to help me kill the White Death in Kyoto.

— Bullet Train (2022)

Juró que nunca más iba a tomar.

He swore he would never drink again.

Dije que iba a volver tarde.

I said I was going to be late.

Pensé que Tom iba a lastimarme.

I thought Tom was going to hurt me.

Te dije que iba a quemar este edificio ¡y todos en él!

I told you I was going to burn down this building—and everyone in it!

— The Running Man (2025)

Justamente iba a decirte que he solucionado el problema.

I was just about to tell you that I've solved the problem.

Iba a hacerlo, así que lo hice.

I was going to do it, so I did.

Entonces yo no sabía que iba a casarme.

Back then, I didn't know I was going to get married.

— Sólo se vive una vez (2011)

Iba a usar eso.

I was going to use that.

Por supuesto, no apareció pero iba a viajar con una tal Caroline Parreire.

Of course, he didn't show up, but he was going to travel with a certain Caroline Parreire.

— No se lo digas a nadie (2006)

No, hombre, ¿por qué iba a decírselo?

No, man, why would I tell him?

— Sólo se vive una vez (2011)

Te dije que le iba a gustar.

I told you he was going to like it.

Que fingí su voz y le dije que alguien iba a recogerlo.

I pretended to be his voice and told him that someone was going to pick him up.

— Intocable (2011)

Te dije que te iba a ayudar.

I told you I was going to help you.

Todo iba a terminar y a comenzar otra vez.

Everything was going to end and begin again.

Dice que su espejo iba a disparar.

He says his mirror was going to shoot.

— Algunos hombres buenos (1992)

Nos iba a dejar en la calle con todo lo que comía.

He was going to leave us destitute with all the eating he did.

— Mi amigo Ivan Lapshin (1985)

Pero dijiste que no sabías que iba a ser asesinado.

But you said you didn't know he was going to be murdered.

— Mi amigo Ivan Lapshin (1985)

Pensé que iba a morir.

I thought I was going to die.

Les mentía a mis padres, les decía que iba a ser abogado.

I lied to my parents, I told them I was going to be a lawyer.

— La gran enfermedad del amor (2017)

Juro que lo iba a compartir.

I swear I was going to share it.

Nadie sabía que iba a renunciar al trabajo tan de repente.

Nobody knew that he was going to quit his job so suddenly.

Iba a llamar a la policía.

I was going to call the police.

— Drive (2011)

Por qué te iba a creer?

Why would I believe you?

— Cadena perpetua (1994)

Iba a cancelarlo al día siguiente.

I was going to cancel it the next day.

— “Cumbres Borrascosas” (2026)

Le iba a esperar en el aeropuerto de Malmo.

I was going to wait for him at Malmo airport.

— Fresas salvajes (1957)

Pero no iba a durar.

But it wasn't going to last.

— Ratatouille (2007)

Tú habías dicho que nadie iba a morir.

You had said that no one was going to die.

— Gangs of Wasseypur. Parte 1 (2012)

Iba a llamarte pero se me acabó la batería del teléfono.

I was going to call you but my phone battery died.

Si tú no podías decírselo, ¿quién iba a poder?

If you couldn't tell him, who would?

— Adiós a mi concubina (1993)

Iba a comprar dos de cualquier forma.

I was going to buy two anyway.

— Black Phone 2 (2025)

Se suponía que iba a llamar a Jack.

He was supposed to call Jack.

— Impacto (1981)

Sabía que este día iba a llegar.

I knew this day was coming.

Iba a nadar al mar a menudo cuando era un niño.

I used to go swimming in the sea often when I was a child.

Ella sabía que lo iba a pagar caro.

She knew she was going to pay dearly for it.

— Chicago (2002)

La operación de Tom iba a costar una pequeña fortuna.

Tom’s surgery was going to cost a small fortune.

No pensarías que iba a quedarme para siempre, ¿no?

You didn't think I was going to stay forever, did you?

— Ratatouille (2007)

Hacía tanto calor en el estadio que pensé que iba a desmayarme.

It was so hot in the stadium that I thought I was going to faint.

Prometió que iba a cambiar pero siguió haciendo exactamente lo mismo.

He promised he would change, but he continued doing exactly the same thing.

Y mi familia iba a quedar en medio del fuego cruzado.

And my family was going to be caught in the crossfire.

— Tropa de élite 2 (2010)

Estaba convencido de que iba a morir.

He was convinced he was going to die.

La batalla iba a empezar al atardecer.

The battle was going to begin at sunset.

— Asesinos (2015)

Neto, te dije que iba a salir mal.

Neto, I told you it was going to go wrong.

— Tropa de élite (2007)

Iba a decirte algo importante pero se me olvidó por completo.

I was going to tell you something important but I completely forgot.

Mary dijo que ella iba a bailar toda la noche.

Mary said she was going to dance all night.

Tom iba a ser transferido a Boston, pero en vez de eso decidieron despedirlo.

Tom was going to be transferred to Boston, but instead they decided to fire him.

Rohit iba a casarse con una chica.

Rohit was going to marry a girl.

— Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

Se los iba a cobrar.

I was going to charge them.

— Tropa de élite (2007)

Le dije que iba a cocinar yo pero al final pedimos pizza.

I told her I was going to cook, but in the end we ordered pizza.

Iba a regresar adentro de todas formas.

I was going to go back inside anyway.

Te iba a escribir, pero estaba muy ocupado.

I was going to write to you, but I was very busy.

Tuve un presentimiento de que algo agradable iba a ocurrir.

I had a feeling that something nice was going to happen.

Iba a dejarnos esperando en la puerta todo el día?

Were you going to leave us waiting at the door all day?

— Indiana Jones y la última cruzada (1989)

Ahora mismo iba a llamar a un taxi.

I was just about to call a taxi.

Él iba a hablar.

He was going to speak.

El cielo estaba nublado y parecía que iba a llover.

The sky was cloudy and it looked like it was going to rain.

Pasó por su cabeza que ella iba a morir.

It crossed his mind that she was going to die.

Estaba segura de que iba a aprobar el examen final.

I was sure I was going to pass the final exam.

Te dije que iba a funcionar.

I told you it was going to work.

Usted iba a cerrar la puerta, idiota!

You were going to close the door, you idiot!

— Train to Busan (2016)

Claro, cómo iba a olvidarlo.

Of course, how could I forget?

— Cuentos de Tokio (1953)

Iba a tener una gran carrera.

He was going to have a great career.

— Picnic (1955)

El avión iba a llevarlos a Bauru.

The plane was going to take them to Bauru.

Iba a hacerte la misma pregunta.

I was going to ask you the same question.

Sabía que Tom no te iba a esperar.

I knew Tom wasn’t going to wait for you.

Sinceramente, iba a pedir el servicio de habitaciones en cuanto te fueras.

Honestly, I was going to order room service as soon as you left.

— Marty Supreme (2025)

Por qué iba a estar avergonzada?

Why would she be embarrassed?

— Sin amor (2017)

Iba a ver a Tom.

I was going to see Tom.

Pensé que iba a estar enojado, pero para mi sorpresa, él sonrió.

I thought he was going to be angry, but to my surprise, he smiled.

Como se la iba a dar, si la tengo puesta.

How could I give it to her, if I'm wearing it?

— Investigación sobre un ciudadano libre de toda sospecha (1970)

Dice que iba a haber venido, pero que no pudo.

He says he would have come, but he couldn't.

Iba a apostar por tu hermano, pero terminaron demasiado pronto.

I was going to bet on your brother, but they broke up too soon.

— El botín (2026)

Pues iba a llamarte ahora.

I was just about to call you.

— Contratiempo (2017)

Cómo iba a hacerlo?

How was I supposed to do it?

— El paciente inglés (1996)

Que a quién iba a gustarle una tía con muslos como troncos.

Who would like a woman with thighs like tree trunks?

— Love Actually (2003)

Iba a llamarle a mamá.

I was going to call my mom.

Yo iba a comprar el anillo.

I was going to buy the ring.

— Perdición (1944)

Era muy joven, ¿qué iba a saber?

She was very young, what did she know?

— Naturaleza muerta (2006)

El pastor dijo que Tom iba a arder en el infierno.

The pastor said that Tom was going to burn in hell.

Jessep lo iba a mantener en la base.

Jessep was going to keep him on the base.

— Algunos hombres buenos (1992)

No lo iba a entender.

I wasn't going to understand it.

— Open Your Eyes (1997)

Papá, te dije que iba a comer con ellas.

Dad, I told you I was going to eat with them.

Le dije a Alicia que iba a caminar.

I told Alicia I was going for a walk.

— Campo de sueños (1989)

Iba a llevar a Michael al colegio.

I was going to take Michael to school.

— Mystic River (2003)

Yo iba a hacerlo este fin de semana.

I was going to do it this weekend.

— La ola (2008)

Te lo iba a contar.

I was going to tell you.

— हम दिल दे चुके सनम (1999)

Iba a comprar una mesa nueva, pero mi marido ya arregló la pata rota.

I was going to buy a new table, but my husband already fixed the broken leg.

Yo no iba a usar la lengua.

I wasn't going to use my tongue.

— Intocable (2011)

Debí haberte dicho que iba a traer a alguien.

I should have told you I was bringing someone.

La mujer iba a orar todas las tardes a la iglesia.

The woman went to pray at the church every afternoon.

Tom decidió que iba a estudiar francés tres horas al día.

Tom decided he was going to study French for three hours a day.

Iba a pasar la noche allí.

I was going to spend the night there.

— Durante la tormenta (2018)

Yo iba a preguntarte lo mismo.

I was going to ask you the same thing.

Lo iba a recoger.

I was going to pick it up.

Creí que iba a conocer a mi padre.

I thought I was going to meet my father.

— 28 años después: El templo de los huesos (2026)

Que iba a buscarte porque tenías problemas.

That I was going to look for you because you were having problems.

— Caché (Escondido) (2005)

Además no sabía cómo iba a funcionar con la madame.

Besides, I didn't know how things were going to work out with the madam.

— El ladrón (1997)

Iba a preguntarle a Tom sobre ello, pero nunca tuve la oportunidad.

I was going to ask Tom about it, but I never got the chance.

No sé, creía que iba a cambiar de opinión.

I don't know, I thought he was going to change his mind.

Pensé que Galinha iba a empezar una revolución.

I thought Galinha was going to start a revolution.

— Ciudad de Dios (2002)

Iba a decirte lo mismo.

I was going to tell you the same thing.

Creí que te iba a sorprender.

I thought I was going to surprise you.

Él iba a aceptar la oferta, pero se lo pensó mejor.

He was going to accept the offer, but he thought better of it.

Iba a salir de viaje cuando le avisaron de que cancelaron el vuelo.

She was about to leave on a trip when she was notified that the flight had been cancelled.

Te iba a preguntar lo mismo.

I was going to ask you the same thing.

Y el padre de Yves iba a traerle.

And Yves's father was going to bring him.

— Caché (Escondido) (2005)

Juró que nunca más iba a tomar un trago.

He swore he would never have another drink.

Iba a estudiar medicina pero cambió de opinión en el último momento.

She was going to study medicine but changed her mind at the last minute.

Dije que iba a ayudarte.

I said I was going to help you.

Él no dijo nada en cuanto a si iba a pagar en efectivo o con un cheque.

He didn’t say anything about whether he was going to pay in cash or by check.

Cuando lo vi, pensé que iba a matarme.

When I saw him, I thought he was going to kill me.

No, dijo que no estaba satisfecho y que iba a regresar al motel.

No, he said he wasn't satisfied and that he was going back to the motel.

— Psicosis (1960)

Si no lo sabías, ¿cómo iba a saberlo yo?

If you didn’t know, how was I supposed to know?

— Ratatouille (2007)

Te dije que iba a pensar en algo.

I told you I was going to think of something.

Iba a hacerlo después de completar el experimento.

I was going to do it after completing the experiment.

— El jardín de los pecadores: Paradigma paradoja (Paradoja espiral) (2008)

No, ¿dónde iba a enterarme?

No, where would I have found out?

— Valor sentimental (2025)

Iba a usar el botín como cebo.

He was going to use the loot as bait.

— El botín (2026)

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)

Iba a ir Carver, pero está mal del estómago.

Carver was going to go, but he has a stomach ache.

— Bullet Train (2022)

Para eso me crio, sabiendo que iba a necesitar mi fortuna.

That's what he raised me for, knowing that I was going to need my fortune.

— La doncella (2016)

Les dije que no te iba a entregar si yo no te ponía las esposas.

I told them I wasn't going to hand you over unless I put the handcuffs on you.

— Atrápame si puedes (2002)

Parecía que iba a llover, pero no llovió.

It looked like it was going to rain, but it didn’t.

Por qué iba a hacer eso, señor?

Why would I do that, sir?

— Caché (Escondido) (2005)

En ese momento, supe que iba a haber cambios.

At that moment, I knew there were going to be changes.

Pensé que iba a morir en cualquier segundo.

I thought I was going to die any second.

— Un simple accidente (2025)

Y si hacía fuerza para salir, la iba a hundir más en la nieve.

And if she tried to force herself out, she would only sink deeper into the snow.

— La sociedad de la nieve (2023)

Iba a ir al centro comercial.

I was going to go to the mall.

Por un instante pensé que iba a morir.

For a moment I thought I was going to die.

Yo dije que iba a presentarte a Nadia, ¿no es así?

I said I was going to introduce you to Nadia, didn't I?

— La diva (1981)

No, iba a llamar.

No, I was going to call.

— La gran belleza (2013)

Iba a llamar a Tom.

I was going to call Tom.

Si no, aquí iba a estar yo.

Otherwise, I would be here.

— Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (1988)

La iba a meter en un manicomio para luego huir.

He was going to put her in a mental hospital and then run away.

— La doncella (2016)

Yo sabía que le iba a ir bien.

I knew it was going to go well for him.

Iba a buscar leña.

I was going to fetch firewood.

— Rashomon (1950)

Yo te iba a llamar.

I was going to call you.

— Sólo se vive una vez (2011)

Le dije que no iba a morir.

I told him I wasn't going to die.

— Anatomía de una caída (2023)

En el artículo de la revista salía que el yen iba a subir.

The magazine article stated that the yen was going to rise.

Le cortó una oreja al poli y lo iba a quemar vivo.

He cut off the cop's ear and was going to burn him alive.

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Iba a llamarte a decirte dónde estaba.

I was going to call you to tell you where I was.

Tom pensó que iba a tener un salario más alto.

Tom thought he was going to have a higher salary.

Iba a cenar con mis papás.

I was going to have dinner with my parents.

Iba a contarte sobre eso.

I was going to tell you about that.

— La gran enfermedad del amor (2017)

Quería saber a qué universidades iba a solicitar el ingreso.

I wanted to know which universities I was going to apply to.

— Un lugar en ninguna parte (1988)

Sabía que esto iba a ocurrir.

I knew this was going to happen.

Iba a pedir un voluntario.

I was going to ask for a volunteer.

Decidí no llamar a Bleeker para decirle que iba a tener el niño.

I decided not to call Bleeker to tell him I was going to have the baby.

— Juno (2007)

Creí que iba a vomitar.

I thought I was going to throw up.

— La gran enfermedad del amor (2017)

Creía que nunca iba a querer.

I thought I would never want to.

Justo cuando le iba a telefonear, llegó una carta de ella.

Just as I was about to call her, a letter arrived from her.

O iba a haber un incendio o alguna cosa importante.

There was either going to be a fire or something important.

— [REC] (2007)

Tom sabía que iba a necesitar un poco de ayuda.

Tom knew he was going to need a little help.

Ahí, no dije que el BOPE lo iba a agarrar.

I didn’t say BOPE was going to get him.

— Tropa de élite 2 (2010)

Iba a preparar la cena temprano pero se entretuvo viendo la tele.

She was going to prepare dinner early but got distracted watching TV.

Te iba a dejar una nota.

I was going to leave you a note.

No, ¿por qué iba a pedir yo el diamante en el Tragisticent?

No, why would I ask for the diamond on the Tragisticent?

— Ahora me ves 3 (2025)

Nunca hubiese imaginado que iba a tener hijos así.

I never would have imagined that I would have children like this.

— Academia Rushmore (1998)

Iba a dejar una nota.

I was going to leave a note.

— El maquinista (2004)

Me preguntaba cuándo iba a verle, señor Potter.

I was wondering when I was going to see you, Mr. Potter.

— Harry Potter y la piedra filosofal (2001)

Él iba a disculparse cuando el hombre le pegó un puñetazo en la cara.

He was about to apologize when the man punched him in the face.

Pero alguien más iba a conocer a Satine esa noche.

But someone else was going to meet Satine that night.

— Moulin Rouge (2001)

Yo decía que prefería reprobar, yo no iba a hacer trampa.

I used to say I’d rather fail; I wasn’t going to cheat.

— Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)

Escucha, yo iba a avisarte.

Listen, I was going to warn you.

— Tropa de élite 2 (2010)

Usted simplemente iba a marcharse pero me va a gritar.

You were just going to leave, but you're going to yell at me.

— मुन्ना भाई एम बी बी एस (2003)

Él iba a verla al hospital cada dos días.

He would visit her at the hospital every two days.

Pensé que Tom iba a llevarnos a ver a María.

I thought Tom was going to take us to see Maria.

Iba a tener toda la noche.

I was going to have all night.

Ya te dije, iba a llamar a Bernie.

I already told you, I was going to call Bernie.

— Drive (2011)

Te dije que iba a quemar este edificio.

I told you I was going to burn this building down.

— The Running Man (2025)

Justamente iba a ver a tu jefe.

I was just going to see your boss.

Iba a hacerlo.

I was going to do it.

Ese auto no indicó que iba a girar a la derecha.

That car didn’t signal that it was going to turn right.

Cuando iba a salir, se puso a llover.

Just as I was about to leave, it started to rain.

Iba a usarlo.

I was going to use it.

El niño en realidad iba a hacerlo.

The boy was actually going to do it.

Mané Galinha le salvó la vida a un vendedor que Cenoura iba a matar.

Mané Galinha saved the life of a street vendor whom Cenoura was about to kill.

— Ciudad de Dios (2002)

Ella iba a cenar con sus amigas.

She was going to have dinner with her friends.

— Mystic River (2003)

Justo lo que iba a decirle yo a ella.

Just what I was going to tell her.

Te dije que lo iba a encontrar.

I told you I was going to find him.

Porque le iba a disparar cuando abriera.

Because he was going to shoot her when she opened the door.

— Bacurau (2019)

Realmente pensaste que eso iba a funcionar?

Did you really think that was going to work?

Les dije que yo iba a salir primero y a darles una señal.

I told them I would go out first and give them a signal.

— Atrápame si puedes (2002)

Iba a aceptar la oferta pero las condiciones no le convencieron del todo.

He was going to accept the offer, but the conditions didn't completely convince him.

Iba a llamar por teléfono.

I was going to make a phone call.

— Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (1988)

Pensé que no te iba a encontrar.

I thought I wouldn't find you.

Parecía que todo iba a terminar bien.

It seemed like everything was going to turn out alright.

— Tropa de élite 2 (2010)

Te dije que Tom no nos iba a decepcionar.

I told you Tom wasn't going to let us down.

Se supone que iba a estar aquí antes de las diez.

I was supposed to be here before ten.

Iba a llamarte.

I was going to call you.

— Roofman: Un ladrón en el tejado (2025)

Yo iba a hacer eso.

I was going to do that.

Tom no estaba seguro de cuándo iba a llegar Mary.

Tom wasn’t sure when Mary was going to arrive.

Iba a comprar el vestido pero cuando llegué ya no quedaban de mi talla.

I was going to buy the dress but when I arrived they were already out of my size.