iba a

was going to

→ ir
phrase Very common #1,487
was going to Used to describe an intended or planned action in the past. The next verb is usually in the infinitive.
SP: Iba a llamarte, pero se me olvidó.
EN: I was going to call you, but I forgot.

De todas formas iba a ir a Gettysburg con Bleeker.

I was going to Gettysburg with Bleeker anyway.

— Juno: Crecer, correr y tropezar (2007)

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

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

Él iba a verla al hospital cada dos días.

He would visit her at the hospital every two days.

Te dije que te iba a ayudar.

I told you I was going to help you.

Iba a ir al centro comercial.

I was going to go to the mall.

Alguien iba a venir a ayudarme más temprano, pero se retrasó.

Someone was supposed to come and help me earlier, but they were delayed.

— Burning (2018)

Iba a llamarme.

He was going to call me.

— La Sociedad de los Poetas Muertos (1989)

Si no, aquí iba a estar yo.

Otherwise, I would be here.

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

Iba a comprar dos de cualquier forma.

I was going to buy two anyway.

— Teléfono negro 2 (2025)

Que a huevo iba a elegir ese.

Of course I was going to choose that one.

— Ya no estoy aquí (2019)

Usted iba a estar bien.

You were going to be okay.

— Exterminio: El templo de huesos (2026)

Nadie iba a pagarlo.

Nobody was going to pay for it.

— Buenos Muchachos (1990)

¿Quién nos iba a contratar, otro astillero?

Who was going to hire us, another shipyard?

— Los lunes al sol (2002)

Cómo iba a hacerlo?

How was I supposed to do it?

— El Paciente Inglés (1996)

Todo iba a terminar y a comenzar otra vez.

Everything was going to end and begin again.

Iba a ponerse pintura de guerra antes de salir.

She was going to put on war paint before going out.

— La Sociedad de los Poetas Muertos (1989)

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

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

Tom pensó que iba a tener un salario más alto.

Tom thought he was going to have a higher salary.

Tú habías dicho que nadie iba a morir.

You had said that no one was going to die.

— Gangs of Wasseypur I (2012)

Estaba tratando de averiguar dónde iba a estar Verónica a continuación.

I was trying to figure out where Veronica was going to be next.

— Los ilusionistas 3: Ahora me ves, ahora no (2025)

Iba a volver.

I was going to come back.

— Temporada de Sangre (2025)

¿No te iba a ir para los"Unites"tú?

Weren’t you going to go to the “Unites”?

— Rudo y Cursi (2008)

Iba a ir a FedEx o algo así.

I was going to FedEx or something like that.

— Locamente millonarios (2018)

Juró que nunca más iba a tomar un trago.

He swore he would never have another drink.

Cuando iba a salir, se puso a llover.

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

Sabía que Tom no te iba a esperar.

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

¿Por qué no iba a poder volar sola la nave de los criminales?

Why wouldn’t the criminals’ ship be able to fly on its own?

Pensé que Tom iba a lastimarme.

I thought Tom was going to hurt me.

Yo sabía que le iba a ir bien.

I knew it was going to go well for him.

No sé, creía que iba a cambiar de opinión.

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

Te lo iba a contar.

I was going to tell you.

— हम दिल दे चुके सनम (1999)

Sabía cómo iba a reaccionar.

I knew how he was going to react.

Mira este zoquete ¡Usted iba a cerrar la puerta, idiota!

Look at this idiot! You were supposed to close the door, moron!

— Estación Zombie: tren a Busan (2016)

Iba a devolverlo.

I was going to return it.

— Titanic (1997)

Tom dijo que Mary iba a venir a cenar.

Tom said that Mary was coming for dinner.

Quería saber a qué universidades iba a solicitar el ingreso.

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

— Running on Empty (1988)

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

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

— Ratatouille (2007)

Iba a usar eso.

I was going to use that.

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.

De todos modos yo no te iba a dejar jugar conmigo.

Either way, I wasn’t going to let you play with me.

— El hijo de la novia (2001)

Iba a intentar quedar en la Universidad de Tokio, pero cambié de idea.

I was going to try to get into the University of Tokyo, but I changed my mind.

Sabían qué día iba a llegar.

They knew what day he was going to arrive.

Dije que iba a volver tarde.

I said I was going to be late.

Iba a buscar leña.

I was going to fetch firewood.

— Rashomon (1950)

"No me esperes.""No te iba a esperar."

“Don’t wait for me.” “I wasn’t going to wait for you.”

Era muy joven, ¿qué iba a saber?

She was very young, what did she know?

— 三峡好人 (2006)

Tom se preguntaba si María iba a besarlo.

Tom wondered if Maria was going to kiss him.

¿Y por qué no iba a hablar?

And why wouldn't I talk?

— Roma città aperta (1945)

Me dijo que el cabo tres te iba a dar el reporte.

He told me Corporal Tres was going to give you the report.

— Noche de fuego (2021)

Creí que iba a vomitar.

I thought I was going to throw up.

— Por eso lo llaman amor (2017)

Ahora todo iba a cambiar.

Now everything was going to change.

— Das weiße Band - Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte (2009)

Iba a llevar a Michael al colegio.

I was going to take Michael to school.

— Río Místico (2003)

Justamente iba a ver a tu jefe.

I was just going to see your boss.

Creía que iba a venir sola.

I thought she was going to come alone.

— Cuestión de tiempo (2013)

Te iba a preguntar lo mismo.

I was going to ask you the same thing.

Iba a contarte sobre eso.

I was going to tell you about that.

— Por eso lo llaman amor (2017)

El avión iba a llevarlos a Bauru.

The plane was going to take them to Bauru.

¿Me iba a quedar parado?

Was I supposed to just stand there?

— Tropa de Élite 2 (2010)

¿Y dónde iba a encontrar libros sobre naves estelares?

And where was I supposed to find books about starships?

Iba a regresar adentro de todas formas.

I was going to go back inside anyway.

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 Supremo (2025)

Iba a dejar una nota.

I was going to leave a note.

— El Maquinista (2004)

Te dije que iba a pensar en algo.

I told you I was going to think of something.

Iba a tener una gran carrera.

He was going to have a great career.

— Picnic (1955)

Iba a hacerlo, así que lo hice.

I was going to do it, so I did.

O iba a casarse.

Or he was going to get married.

Iba a aburrirme muchísimo de contar la misma historia una y otra vez.

I was going to get really bored of telling the same story over and over again.

¡Sabía que iba a conseguirlo!

I knew I’d make it!

— Malcolm X (1992)

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.

— Amigos Intocables (2011)

Iba a llamarte a decirte dónde estaba.

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

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.

— Мой друг Иван Лапшин (1985)

Te iba a dejar una nota.

I was going to leave you a note.

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.

Pues iba a llamarte ahora.

I was just about to call you.

— Contratiempo (2017)

¡Además, le dije a Shibuya que ella iba a dejar de ser una Pop Idol!

Besides, I told Shibuya she was going to stop being a pop idol!

— PERFECT BLUE (1998)

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)

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)

Pero alguien más iba a conocer a Satine esa noche.

But someone else was going to meet Satine that night.

— Moulin Rouge, amor en rojo (2001)

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.

Iba a decirte en el avión.

I was going to tell you on the plane.

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.

Pasó por su cabeza que ella iba a morir.

It crossed his mind that she was going to die.

Tom iba a beber casi todas las noches.

Tom would drink almost every night.

¿Cómo iba a estar seguro de que este tipo iba a hacerlo?

How could I be sure this guy was going to do it?

— Estallido mortal (1981)

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

If you couldn't tell him, who would?

— 霸王别姬 (1993)

La operación de Tom iba a costar una pequeña fortuna.

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

A quién iba a pedirle que viniera?

Who was I going to ask to come?

— TÁR (2022)

Él iba a regalarme su motocicleta.

He was going to give me his motorcycle as a gift.

— Akira (1988)

Iba a ir a buscarla con un paraguas.

I was going to go look for her with an umbrella.

— Con Ánimo de Amar (2000)

Pero yo no iba a dejar de luchar.

But I wasn't going to stop fighting.

— Contratiempo (2017)

Pensé que Galinha iba a empezar una revolución.

I thought Galinha was going to start a revolution.

— Ciudad de Dios (2002)

Juró que nunca más iba a tomar.

He swore he would never drink again.

Le iba a preguntar, pero, obvio, me di cuenta.

I was going to ask him, but obviously, I figured it out.

— Familia (2023)

Iba a casarme con ella.

I was going to marry her.

¿Por qué no iba a saber dar cabezazos?

Why wouldn’t I know how to head the ball?

— Anaconda (2025)

¿Pensabas que realmente iba a arruinar esta cosa antes de asegurarme?

Did you really think I was going to ruin this thing before making sure?

— Sin piedad (2026)

Creí que te iba a sorprender.

I thought I was going to surprise you.

Y el padre de Yves iba a traerle.

And Yves's father was going to bring him.

— Escondido (2005)

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

I was supposed to be here before ten.

Tuve un presentimiento de que algo agradable iba a ocurrir.

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

Iba a pedir un voluntario.

I was going to ask for a volunteer.

Creí iba a vomitar.

I thought I was going to throw up.

— タンポポ (1985)

Sabía que esto iba a ocurrir.

I knew this was going to happen.

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.

Parecía que iba a llover, pero no llovió.

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

Te dije que iba a venir.

I told you I was coming.

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)

¿Dijo si iba a volver?

Did he say if he was coming back?

— La decisión de partir (2022)

Iba a usarlo.

I was going to use it.

Él iba a hablar.

He was going to speak.

Iba a ir Carver, pero está mal del estómago.

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

— Tren bala (2022)

Por qué iba a cortarle yo un brazo?

Why would I cut off one of his arms?

— El guardián invisible (2017)

Es que se suponía que iba a morir de vieja.

She was supposed to die of old age.

— El sonido de la muerte (2026)

Claro, cómo iba a olvidarlo.

Of course, how could I forget?

— Cuentos de Tokio (1953)

Porque le iba a disparar cuando abriera.

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

— Bacurau (2019)

¿Por qué crees que iba a hacerlo?

Why do you think I was going to do it?

— Oppenheimer (2023)

Quería adelgazar y pensó que fumar la iba a ayudar.

She wanted to lose weight and thought smoking would help her.

Tom sabía que iba a necesitar un poco de ayuda.

Tom knew he was going to need a little help.

Iba a cancelarlo al día siguiente.

I was going to cancel it the next day.

— “Cumbres Borrascosas” (2026)

Le dije que no iba a morir.

I told him I wasn't going to die.

— Anatomía de una Caída (2023)

Tenía que caminar un poco, pero sabía dónde iba a cenar.

I had to walk a little, but I knew where I was going to have dinner.

¿Por qué no iba a estar feliz Tom?

Why wouldn’t Tom be happy?

Sabe, iba a convertirme en Juez Presidente.

You know, I was going to become Chief Justice.

— Nuremberg: El Juicio Del Siglo (2025)

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.

En ese momento, supe que iba a haber cambios.

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

Solo iba a estar tres días, pero teníamos tanto lío que no pude verla.

I was only going to be there for three days, but we had so much going on that I couldn’t see her.

— 7 años (2016)

Nunca pensé que la iba a conocer en esa fiesta.

I never thought I would meet her at that party.

Justo iba a ir a ver te.

I was just about to go see you.

— El jardín de los pecadores 5: Paradoja espiral (2008)

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.

Sabía que este día iba a llegar.

I knew this day was coming.

Después de todo, nadie iba a llamarme.

After all, nobody was going to call me.

— Chungking Express (1994)

Iba a dejarnos esperando en la puerta todo el día?

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

— Indiana Jones 3: La Última Cruzada (1989)

Ella iba a cenar con sus amigas.

She was going to have dinner with her friends.

— Río Místico (2003)

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!

— El sobreviviente (2025)

Iba a traer toda la RDA sobre nosotros.

He was going to bring the whole of East Germany down on us.

— Avatar: Fuego y ceniza (2025)

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 hacerlo.

I was going to do it.

Era así de buena, pero no se daba cuenta de adónde iba a parar todo esto.

She was that good, but she had no idea where all of this was headed.

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.

Es como mi propia casa, ¿por qué no iba a venir?

It's like my own home, why wouldn't I come?

— तुम्बाड (2018)

Sabía que iba a venir.

I knew he was coming.

O iba a haber un incendio o alguna cosa importante.

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

— [REC] (2007)

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.

Nos dijeron que mi madre iba a ser trasladada a Tucumán.

They told us that my mother was going to be transferred to Tucumán.

— Argentina 1985 (2022)

Acerté que el gobierno iba a subir excesivamente los impuestos.

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

Neto, te dije que iba a salir mal.

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

— Tropa de Élite (2007)

Creí que iba a conocer a mi padre.

I thought I was going to meet my father.

— Exterminio: El templo de huesos (2026)

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

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

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 sabía que nos iba a pesar.

I knew we were going to regret it.

¿Para qué iba a ver al Príncipe?

Why would I go see the Prince?

— La maldición de la flor dorada (2006)

Iba a preguntarte lo mismo.

I was going to ask you the same thing.

— Dangal (2016)

Iba a decirte lo mismo.

I was going to tell you the same thing.

Tom se empezó a preocupar acerca de cómo iba a pagar la educación de su hijo.

Tom began to worry about how he was going to pay for his son’s education.

Mary dijo que ella iba a bailar toda la noche.

Mary said she was going to dance all night.

Le dije que iba a recoger a mi hijo.

I told him I was going to pick up my son.

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.

— Ne le dis à personne (2006)

Iba a tener más de esos sueños, uno tras otro, cada semana o algo así.

I was going to have more of those dreams, one after another, every week or so.

No te iba a tirar, hombre.

I wasn't going to throw you, man.

— Malcolm X (1992)

Rohit iba a casarse con una chica.

Rohit was going to marry a girl.

— Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

No estaba segura de que creyera que yo era tan crédula, pero iba a intentarlo.

I wasn’t sure he thought I was that gullible, but I was going to try.

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)

Él iba a venir para formar una sociedad, pero no lo hizo.

He was going to come to form a partnership, but he didn't.

— Anaconda (2025)

Creía que nunca iba a querer.

I thought I would never want to.

Iba a ir a buscarte.

I was going to come and find you.

— El duelo (2006)

Parecía que todo iba a terminar bien.

It seemed like everything was going to turn out alright.

— Tropa de Élite 2 (2010)

Por qué te iba a creer?

Why would I believe you?

— Sueño de fuga (1994)

Iba a llamarle a mamá.

I was going to call my mom.

Iba a cenar con mis papás.

I was going to have dinner with my parents.

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

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

No creía ser tan bonita, pero eso iba a cambiar a medida que creciera.

She didn’t think she was that pretty, but that was going to change as she grew up.

¿Y por qué iba a inventarse alguien algo tan elaborado?

And why would anyone make up something so elaborate?

— Oppenheimer (2023)

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: Crecer, correr y tropezar (2007)

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

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

Tom pensó que iba a disfrutar de la fiesta.

Tom thought he was going to enjoy the party.

Papá, te dije que iba a comer con ellas.

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

Estaba segura de que iba a aprobar el examen final.

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

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

How was I supposed to give it to her when I’m wearing it?

— Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto (1970)

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)

Iba a ver a Tom.

I was going to see Tom.

Él iba a matarme, hermano.

He was going to kill me, brother.

— Cidade dos Homens (2007)

Iba a ir a Boston la próxima semana pero he cambiado de idea.

I was going to go to Boston next week, but I've changed my mind.

Nadie en el hospicio iba a dormir tranquilo esa noche.

No one at the hospice was going to sleep peacefully that night.

Por qué iba a haberlo?

Why would there be one?

— Escondido (2005)

¿Qué flor creías que iba a escoger?

Which flower did you think I was going to choose?

— Summertime (1955)

Te dije que Tom no nos iba a decepcionar.

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

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

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

¿Usted iba a ir?

Were you going to go?

— Cidade dos Homens (2007)

Iba a llamar a la policía.

I was going to call the police.

— Drive: El Escape (2011)

Se los iba a cobrar.

I was going to charge them.

— Tropa de Élite (2007)

¿Por qué no iba a estarlo?

Why wouldn’t it be?

— Cuentos de Tokio (1953)

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

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

— Los ilusionistas 3: Ahora me ves, ahora no (2025)

Dice que su espejo iba a disparar.

He says his mirror was going to shoot.

— Cuestión De Honor (1992)

Iba a dar un paseo por la construcción de Robichaux.

I was going to take a walk around the Robichaux construction site.

— Equipo Demolición (2026)

El cielo estaba nublado y parecía que iba a llover.

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

"Pero no sabía cómo acercarse a ella, qué iba a decirle".

“But he didn’t know how to approach her or what to say to her.”

— Durante la tormenta (2018)

No, hombre, ¿por qué iba a decírselo?

No, man, why would I tell him?

— Vida solo hay una (2011)

¿Sabía que su padre iba a estar aquí, señor?

Did you know your father was going to be here, sir?

— Exterminio: El templo de huesos (2026)

Iba a descubrir quién eras y contrataste al sicario que lo mató.

I was going to find out who you were, and you hired the hitman who killed him.

— Zeta (2026)

Te dije que iba a quemar este edificio.

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

— El sobreviviente (2025)