Used to Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈjuzd/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ

YOOZD-tuh

UK

juːzd/ /tˈuː

YOOSD-TOO

Definition

'Used to' expresses something that was true or happened regularly in the past but is no longer true or happening.

Usage & Nuances

Always followed by the base form of the verb ('used to go', not 'used to went'). Only for past habits or situations that don't happen now. Not used for present or future. Do not confuse with 'be used to', which means 'be accustomed to'.

• Spanish: solía - solían
• Portuguese (BR): costumava - costumavam
• Portuguese (PT): costumava - costumavam
• Chinese (Simplified): 过去常常 - 曾经
• Chinese (Traditional): 過去常常 - 曾經
• Hindi: पहले करते थे - की आदत थी
• Arabic: كان معتادًا أن - اعتاد أن
• Bengali: আগে করতাম - আগে হতো
• Russian: раньше - привык(ла) (делать что-то в прошлом)
• Japanese: 以前は～していた
• Vietnamese: từng - đã từng
• Korean: 예전에 ~하곤 했다
• Turkish: eskiden - önceden
• Urdu: عادتاً کرتا تھا - ماضی میں ہوتا تھا
• Indonesian: dulu - biasa (melakukan di masa lalu)

Example Sentences

I used to play soccer every day.

basic

She used to live in Paris.

basic

We used to eat dinner together every night.

basic

Did you used to have long hair?

natural

There used to be a bookstore here, but it closed.

natural

I don’t used to wake up this early, but now I have to.

natural