Simple Past - Fui vs Estive

Portuguese Questions Verbs
1

I am battling to answer the review cards when it comes to the use of fui and or estive when referring to a past event. What is the underlying difference with 3 options, to go; to be and been? I see this was touched on but has not quite answered my dilema.

2

@mdefotophile, fui is a past tense form for both ser (to be) and ir (to go). The two verbs just happen to be conjugated similarly in the past tenses, but the meaning in each case is specific (I was or I went). Estive is only a past tense form of the verb estar (to be).

So, whenever you see I went, it’s easy: it can only be eu fui. For the verb to be, whatever applies in the present tense to distinguish between ser and estar should generally also apply to the past tense. We have a few Learning Notes dedicated to the uses of each verb:

If you’d like, feel free to share any specific examples that confuse you.

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3

Here is an example from your “smart review”. Eu fui antipático contigo, it seems both fui and estive work here. I think each verbs use would depend on the permanence of the relationship? both uses translate the same “I was unfriendly/unkind to you”.

4

@mdefotophile, thanks for the example – a tricky one! When discussing emotions and/or emotion-driven behaviors, this is more or less what we typically do in the simple past:

Simple past
Verb ser (fui, foste…): Default choice to discuss behaviors/attitudes towards other people at a certain moment in time. It can also apply to more prolonged periods of time, without ever implying that the behavior is atypical for the person.

  • Eu fui antipático contigo (I was unfriendly/rude to you)
  • Tu foste sempre querida connosco (You were always a sweetheart with us)
  • Acho que nĂłs fomos justos (I think we were fair)

Verb estar (estive, estiveste…): Might be used to discuss both emotions and behaviors/attitudes towards other people within a certain time window, and usually implying that it’s not a default emotion/behavior. Also the default and only acceptable choice with the adverbs bem/mal.

  • NĂłs estivemos chateados durante algum tempo (We were mad [at each other] for a while)
  • Ela esteve simpática durante a viagem (She was nice during the trip)
  • ParabĂ©ns, estiveste muito bem! (Congratulations, you did very well!)
  • Acho que estiveste mal. (I think you acted wrong)

So, in the example you shared, only fui is the expected choice.

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