sabía que era

knew that it was

→ saber
phrase Uncommon #22,618
knew that it was Used to say that someone knew or did not know what something was, or that someone was a certain profession or identity. The subject and meaning of era depend on context.
SP: No sabía que era tan difícil.
EN: I didn't know it was so difficult.

Sabía que era falso, pero es difícil verlo con mis propios ojos.

I knew it was fake, but it’s hard to see it with my own eyes.

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

Porque él sabía que era algo poderoso.

Because he knew it was something powerful.

Sabía que era una gran piloto.

I knew she was a great pilot.

— El castillo ambulante (2004)

Tom sabía que era un error.

Tom knew it was a mistake.

Sabía que era plástico pero que tenía sabor a madera.

I knew it was plastic, but it tasted like wood.

Sabía que era usted.

I knew it was you.

— Indiana Jones y la última cruzada (1989)

Tom sabía que era demasiado tarde para llamar, pero aun así lo hizo.

Tom knew it was too late to call, but he did it anyway.

Sabía que era Tom.

I knew it was Tom.

Sabía que era un chiste.

I knew it was a joke.

Tom sabía que era peligroso.

Tom knew it was dangerous.

Sabía que era muy mala persona.

I knew he was a very bad person.

— Los pecadores (2025)

Sabía que era una mala idea.

I knew it was a bad idea.

En lo más profundo de su ser, sabía que era la decisión correcta.

Deep down, she knew it was the right decision.

Sabía que era tu maldita idea.

I knew it was your damn idea.

— The Smashing Machine (2025)