no lograba

couldn't manage to

→ no

phrase Rare #33,850

couldn't manage to The imperfect form of lograr in the negative, used with an infinitive to express being unable to do something or repeatedly failing to do it in the past.

SP: No lograba concentrarme en el trabajo.

EN: I couldn't manage to concentrate on the work.

Mary no lograba encontrar una frase adecuada para el final de su novela.

Mary couldn't find a suitable sentence for the ending of her novel.

Tenía su nombre en la punta de la lengua, pero no lograba recordarlo.

I had his name on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't remember it.

No lograba encontrar a mi gata Rainbow.

I couldn't find my cat Rainbow.

— Los muertos no mueren (2019)

Me preocupaba y no lograba dormirme.

I was worried and couldn’t fall asleep.

Él no lograba entender la frase.

He couldn't understand the sentence.

Quiero decir, que su pene no lograba una erección.

I mean, his penis couldn't get an erection.

— The Chaser (2008)

Me preocupaba y no lograba dormir.

I was worried and couldn’t sleep.

Tom no lograba entender lo que estaba pasando.

Tom couldn't understand what was happening.