eran
“eran” means “they were” in Spanish (describing characteristics, identity, or relationships).
they were, you all were
Also: it was
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Mis abuelos eran muy amables.
A2My grandparents were very kind.
De niños, ellos eran los mejores amigos.
A2As children, they were best friends.
Eran las diez de la noche cuando empezó a llover.
B1It was ten at night when it started to rain.
Ustedes eran los únicos que sabían el secreto.
B1You all were the only ones who knew the secret.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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Words that translate to "eran" in Spanish:
they were→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: eran
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly describes what your friends were like as people?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb 'esse', meaning 'to be'. 'Eran' is the direct descendant of the Latin form 'erant', which had the exact same meaning and function.
First recorded: Ancient, derived from Vulgar Latin.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'eran' and 'fueron'?
Think of it like this: 'eran' describes the background, and 'fueron' describes the action. Use 'eran' for descriptions ('The houses were old'). Use 'fueron' for completed events ('They were the champions').
Is 'eran' from the verb 'ser' (to be) or 'ir' (to go)?
'Eran' always comes from 'ser' (to be). The past form for 'ir' (to go) is different: 'iban'. So, 'ellos eran' means 'they were,' and 'ellos iban' means 'they were going.'
Can I use 'eran' for just one person?
No, 'eran' is for multiple people ('they' or 'you all'). For one person ('he', 'she', or the formal 'you'), you would use 'era'. For example, 'Él era mi profesor' (He was my teacher).