no podía creer que

couldn't believe that

→ no

phrase Rare #36,426

couldn't believe that Used to express strong surprise or disbelief about what follows. The verb after que is often in the subjunctive when the speaker is reacting emotionally to something.

SP: No podía creer que hubieras terminado tan rápido.

EN: I couldn't believe that you had finished so quickly.

Tom no podía creer que alguna vez sería capaz de tocar la guitarra.

Tom couldn't believe he would ever be able to play the guitar.

Tom no podía creer que María había cometido tal tontería.

Tom couldn't believe that María had done such a foolish thing.

Él no podía creer que hubiera ido a verlo.

He couldn't believe she had come to see him.

— Roofman: Un ladrón en el tejado (2025)

Tom no podía creer que María pudiera ser tan tonta.

Tom couldn't believe that María could be so stupid.

Tom no podía creer que ya era hora de irse a casa.

Tom couldn't believe it was already time to go home.

Mary no podía creer que Tom nunca haya escuchado Stairway to Heaven.

Mary couldn't believe that Tom had never heard Stairway to Heaven.

Tom no podía creer que María no quiso ir al baile con él.

Tom couldn't believe that María didn't want to go to the dance with him.