esitavamo

Esitavamo is the imperfect indicative form of the Italian verb esitare, meaning that we were hesitating or used to hesitate. It is used to describe a past state of indecision that lasted for a period or occurred repeatedly. Esitare is a regular -are verb, and its imperfect endings follow the standard pattern.

Etymology and related forms: Esitare derives from Latin haesitare, from haesus, the past participle of haerere, linked to the idea of sticking or being fixed. In Italian, esitare retains the broader sense of doubt or delay. Other forms include esito un esito; common conjugations are io esitavo, tu esitavi, lui esitava, noi esitavamo, voi esitavate, loro esitavano.

Usage notes: The imperfect imperfective aspect expresses ongoing or habitual past action, as opposed to a single completed act. Esitavamo can introduce descriptive scenes, set up contrast with a decision later made, or appear in reported speech. It often accompanies introduced clauses with quando, mentre, or semplicemente to convey ongoing indecision.

Examples:

- Esitavamo tra due soluzioni e non sapevamo quale scegliere.

- Esitavamo prima di rispondere, senza voler ferire chi ci aveva chiesto aiuto.

- Esitavamo spesso quando si trattava di decisioni importanti.

See also: esitare, conjugation of -are verbs in the imperfect, Italian verb forms.