Question 1

Why do we use the imperfect tense era here instead of the preterite fue?

Accepted Answer

We use era because it sets the scene and describes an ongoing background condition in the past. It does not pinpoint a specific start or end time. If we were talking about a closed, completed event, like a concert that was fascinating last night, we would use the preterite fue.

Question 2

Could I use the present perfect (me he quedado) instead of the preterite (me quedé) for this sentence?

Accepted Answer

In Latin America, the present perfect is mostly saved for life experiences or actions in an unfinished timeframe, like hoy or esta semana. Because staying at that hostel is a closed, finished event from a completed trip, the preterite me quedé is the correct choice here.

Question 3

Why is there a me in me quedé? Can I just say quedé?

Accepted Answer

You need the me because the verb is quedarse, which means to stay somewhere. Without the reflexive pronoun, the verb quedar usually means to have something left over or to be located. To say you physically stayed at a hotel or house, always use quedarse.

Question 4

Is así que the best way to say 'so' in this context?

Accepted Answer

Yes, así que is a very common way to say so or therefore when connecting a cause to a result. You could also use entonces, which means then or so, but así que is perfectly natural for expressing that one thing caused another.

La cultura local era fascinante, así que me quedé en ese hostal.

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