Phrase · 📜 Narrating past events
Iba a llamarte, pero me quedé dormido.
I was going to call you, but I fell asleep.
B1narrating past eventsinformalAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Iba1verbI was goingir · imperfect · 1st sing.a1prepositiontollamarte2verbto call youllamar · infinitive,peroconjunctionbutme3pronoun(myself)1st sing.quedé3verbI ended upquedar · past · 1st sing.dormido3adjectiveasleepmasc. · sing..
- Iba → llamarte: iba a + infinitive
- me → quedé: reflexive: quedarse
- quedé → dormido: quedarse + adjective
Word for word: “I was going to call you, but I stayed asleep.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1iba a + infinitive: a plan seen from the past that didn’t happen. Narrative past system: pluperfect, past progressive, iba a →
- 2te is attached to the infinitive: llamarte = te iba a llamar. Direct object pronouns and personal a →
- 3quedarse dormido = to fall asleep without meaning to; a woman says dormida. Reflexive verbs and daily routine →
Variations
- Te iba a llamar, pero me quedé dormida.
- Iba a llamarte, pero me dormí.