twas
word · lemma: be
Definition
An old-fashioned and poetic contraction of 'it was', commonly used in poetry, songs, or historical writing.
Usage & Nuances
Very rare in everyday speech; appears mostly in written poetry or stylized, old-fashioned language. 'Twas' is not used in modern formal or informal writing except for effect or imitation of older styles.
Spanish: era - estaba (literario, arcaico)Portuguese (BR): era - estava (literário, arcaico)Portuguese (PT): era - estava (literário, arcaico)Chinese (Simplified): （文学、古英语）是Chinese (Traditional): （文學、古英語）是Hindi: था - थी (कविता या पुरानी शैली में)Arabic: كان (أدبي، قديم)Bengali: ছিল (পুরাতন/কাব্যিক)Russian: было (устар.)Japanese: だった（古風・詩的）Vietnamese: đã là (cổ/thi ca)Korean: 였다 (고전적/시적)Turkish: idi (eski/şiirsel)Urdu: تھا (قدیم/شاعرانہ)Indonesian: adalah (kuno/puitis)
Example Sentences
'Twas a cold and windy night.
basic
'Twas the night before Christmas.
basic
'Twas only a dream.
basic
Everyone listened as the storyteller began, ''Twas long ago, in a distant land…'
natural
The poem began, ''Twas hope that kept us going.'
natural
He smiled and said, ''Twas nothing, just happy to help.'
natural