ya estaba

was already

→ ya

phrase Uncommon #18,034

was already Used to say that someone or something was already in a state, location, or situation at a particular past moment. It can also be followed by a verb phrase, as in “ya estaba por romperme un pie” (“I was about to break my foot”).

SP: Cuando llegamos, ya estaba oscuro.

EN: When we arrived, it was already dark.

Pero ya estaba enamorada, de ti.

But I was already in love, with you.

Ya estaba vestida y deseando ir.

I was already dressed and eager to go.

— Devdas (2002)

La verdad era que ya estaba enamorado.

The truth was that I was already in love.

Ya estaba por salir.

I was just about to leave.

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

La comida ya estaba en la mesa.

The food was already on the table.

Si ya estaba enojado, tal vez agarré un cuchillo.

If I was already angry, maybe I grabbed a knife.

— Sin piedad (2026)

Ella ya estaba enamorada de él.

She was already in love with him.

Me estaba muriendo, más de lo muerto que ya estaba.

I was dying—deader than I already was.

— Amores perros (2000)

Ya estaba despierto.

I was already awake.

— Doña Clara (2016)

La verdad era que ella ya estaba enamorada.

The truth was that she was already in love.

Ya estaba acordado así.

That had already been agreed upon.

— Una segunda madre (2015)

En ese tiempo mi casa ya estaba construida.

At that time my house was already built.

Ya estaba en la tumba cuando regresé.

He was already in the grave when I returned.

— Despedidas (2008)

El dinero ya estaba en el extranjero.

The money was already abroad.

Tu madre ya estaba harta de nosotros.

Your mother was already fed up with us.

— Dolor y gloria (2019)

Ya estaba bien entrada la tarde cuando llegó.

It was already late in the afternoon when he arrived.

Disculpa, pero ya estaba por romperme un pie.

Sorry, but I was already about to break my foot.

— Pinocho (2019)

Sr. Pires, su cuerpo ya estaba colgando cuando nos despertamos.

Mr. Pires, your body was already hanging when we woke up.

— Carandiru (2003)

El cemento ya estaba duro cuando intentamos corregir la forma del escalón.

The cement was already hard when we tried to correct the shape of the step.