encantaban las

loved the

→ encantar

phrase Very common #1,401

loved the Imperfect form of encantar used with a plural noun after it. In sentences like me encantaban las paletas, the literal structure is closer to the popsicles were delightful to me, but in natural English it usually means loved the or used to love the.

SP: De niño, me encantaban las películas de aventuras.

EN: As a child, I loved adventure movies.

Cuando era pequeño, me encantaban las paletas.

When I was little, I loved lollipops.

Y a ella le encantaban las sorpresas.

And she loved surprises.

— Eternity (2025)

Les encantaban las bromas.

They loved jokes.

Me encantaban las paletas cuando era niño.

I loved popsicles when I was a kid.