estábamos
es-TAH-bah-mos
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Estábamos en el parque cuando empezó a llover.
A2We were in the park when it started to rain.
Ayer a las cinco, estábamos viendo una película.
A2Yesterday at five, we were watching a movie.
Estábamos muy cansados después del viaje.
A2We were very tired after the trip.
Antes, siempre estábamos juntos en las vacaciones.
B1Before, we were always together on vacation.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing the 'Background' in the Past
Use 'estábamos' to set the scene or describe what was happening in the background when something else occurred. Think of it as painting a picture of the past: 'Estábamos cenando cuando sonó el teléfono' (We were eating dinner when the phone rang).
'Estar' vs. 'Ser' in the Past
'Estábamos' is for how you felt, where you were, or what you were doing (temporary things). For what you were like (your identity or characteristics), you'd use 'éramos', from the verb 'ser'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Wrong Past Tense
Mistake: "Ayer, *estuvimos* cansados todo el día."
Correction: Ayer, *estábamos* cansados todo el día. Use 'estábamos' to describe a state over a period of time, not a single, completed action. 'Estuvimos' would be for something with a clear start and end, like 'Estuvimos en Madrid por tres días' (We were in Madrid for three days).
⭐ Usage Tips
Your Go-To for Storytelling
'Estábamos' is your best friend for telling stories. Start your story with 'Estábamos en la playa...' (We were at the beach...) to immediately draw your listener into the scene and describe what was going on.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estábamos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'estábamos'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'estábamos' and 'estuvimos'?
Think of it like this: 'estábamos' is for describing the background scene or a continuous action in the past ('We were walking'). 'Estuvimos' is for a completed action with a clear beginning and end ('We were at the party for three hours').
And what about 'estábamos' vs. 'éramos'?
Both can mean 'we were,' but 'estábamos' (from estar) is for temporary conditions, locations, and moods (how you are). 'Éramos' (from ser) is for more permanent traits, identity, or characteristics (what you are).