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Spanish Phrase

Los disfraces estaban increíbles.

/los disˈfɾas.es esˈta.βan in.kɾeˈβi.les/
Meaning"The costumes were amazing."
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Meaning

The costumes were amazing. The use of the imperfect 'estaban' signals that the speaker is describing how the costumes looked at a specific past event, such as a party or carnival.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you want to compliment the quality or appearance of costumes you saw at a past celebration—e.g., a Halloween party, Carnaval, a school play, or a themed event.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Losdisfracesestabanincreíbles.

1

Definite article (Los)

Los is the masculine plural definite article, used before plural nouns like 'disfraces'.

2

Noun (disfraces)

Disfraces is a masculine plural noun meaning 'costumes'.

3

Imperfect of estar (estaban)

Estaban is the third‑person plural imperfect of estar, used to describe a temporary state in the past.

4

Adjective agreement (increíbles)

Increíbles is the plural form of the adjective 'increíble' and must agree in gender and number with 'disfraces'.

🗨In Conversation

A

¿Qué te parecieron los disfraces de la fiesta?

What did you think of the costumes at the party?

Los disfraces estaban increíbles.

The costumes were amazing.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Los disfraces eran increíbles.

    Use 'estaban' (estar) for a temporary visual impression; 'eran' (ser) would suggest a permanent characteristic.

  • Los disfraces estaba increíble.

    The adjective must agree in number with the plural noun.

  • El disfraz estaba increíble.

    The sentence talks about multiple costumes, so the article and noun must be plural.

↔Alternatives

  • Los trajes estaban espectaculares.

    The outfits were spectacular.

  • Los disfraces fueron asombrosos.

    The costumes were astonishing.

  • Los disfraces quedaban geniales.

    The costumes looked great.

es

Cultural Tip

In many Spanish‑speaking countries costume parties are a big part of Carnaval, Día de los Muertos, and even Halloween (Noche de Brujas). Adjectives often follow the noun, especially when emphasizing the description, as in 'disfraces increíbles'. Remember that 'estar' is used for temporary, visual impressions, while 'ser' would imply a more permanent quality.