no se podía

couldn't

→ no

phrase Rare #27,959

couldn't Used with an infinitive to express that something was not possible or that someone was unable to do something. It is the imperfect form and can be impersonal, as in “it wasn't possible to,” or refer to a specific person depending on context.

SP: No se podía ver nada en la oscuridad.

EN: You couldn't see anything in the darkness.

Tom no se podía creer que Mary de verdad le hubiera besado.

Tom couldn't believe that Mary had actually kissed him.

El monte era tan espeso que casi no se podía andar por él.

The mountain was so thick that it was almost impossible to walk through it.

Tom no se podía acordar de qué le había dicho Mary que hiciera.

Tom couldn't remember what Mary had told him to do.

Tom no se podía creer lo que decía Mary.

Tom couldn't believe what Mary was saying.

Tom dijo que no se podía acordar de la última vez que vio una película.

Tom said he couldn't remember the last time he watched a movie.