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estuvieron

es-too-VYEH-rohn/estuˈβjeɾon/

“estuvieron” means “they were” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

they were, you were (plural, formal)

Also: they stayed
VerbA1irregular ar
A storybook illustration showing two children standing near a tall, red and white lighthouse on a sunny coast, indicating their past location.
infinitiveestar
gerundestando
past Participleestado

📝 In Action

Ellos estuvieron en la biblioteca hasta las cinco.

A1

They were at the library until five o'clock.

¿Ustedes estuvieron aquí ayer por la mañana?

A2

Were you (plural, formal) here yesterday morning?

Las llaves estuvieron debajo de la mesa todo el tiempo.

B1

The keys were under the table the whole time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • estuvieron de viaje – they were traveling
  • estuvieron presentes – they were present

they were

Also: they looked
VerbA2irregular ar
A storybook image showing two cartoon bears sitting on a wooden bench, both yawning widely and looking extremely tired, indicating a temporary state.
infinitiveestar
gerundestando
past Participleestado

📝 In Action

Después de la noticia, estuvieron muy tristes por un rato.

A2

After the news, they were very sad for a while.

Los niños estuvieron callados durante la película.

B1

The children were quiet during the movie.

Ellas estuvieron listas para salir a las ocho.

A2

They were ready to leave at eight.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedestá
yoestoy
túestás
ellos/ellas/ustedesestán
nosotrosestamos
vosotrosestáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedestaba
yoestaba
túestabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesestaban
nosotrosestábamos
vosotrosestabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedestuvo
yoestuve
túestuviste
ellos/ellas/ustedesestuvieron
nosotrosestuvimos
vosotrosestuvisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedesté
yoesté
túestés
ellos/ellas/ustedesestén
nosotrosestemos
vosotrosestéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedestuviera/estuviese
yoestuviera/estuviese
túestuvieras/estuvieses
ellos/ellas/ustedesestuvieran/estuviesen
nosotrosestuviéramos/estuviésemos
vosotrosestuvierais/estuvieseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "estuvieron" in Spanish:

they looked→they stayed→they were→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: estuvieron

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'estuvieron' to describe a temporary condition?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

'Estuvieron' comes from the Latin verb *stare*, which meant 'to stand' or 'to stay in one place.' This origin explains why 'estar' is used in Spanish primarily for location and temporary states, contrasting with 'ser,' which comes from a different Latin verb meaning 'to exist.'

First recorded: Old Spanish (c. 10th-13th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: starePortuguese: estiveram

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'estuvieron' and 'fueron'?

'Estuvieron' comes from the verb 'estar' and is used for specific, completed locations or temporary feelings and conditions (e.g., 'They were happy for a moment'). 'Fueron' comes from 'ser' (and also 'ir') and is used for permanent identities, characteristics, or origins (e.g., 'They were doctors').

Can 'estuvieron' be used to talk about actions?

Yes! When paired with the '-ndo' form of another verb (the gerund), it creates the past progressive tense, meaning 'They were doing something.' For example: 'Estuvieron comiendo' means 'They were eating.'