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estuviéramos

es-too-VYER-ah-mohs

verbB1irregular ar

we were?used for imaginary or hypothetical situations

Also:if we were to be?used in 'if' clauses to express a condition

Quick Reference

infinitiveestar

past Participleestado

gerundestando

📝 In Action

Si estuviéramos en la playa, estaríamos nadando.

If we were at the beach, we would be swimming.

Me gustaría que estuviéramos más cerca de la ciudad.

I wish we were closer to the city.

Si tan solo estuviéramos allí ahora mismo.

If only we were there right now.

Word Connections

Synonyms

nos encontráramos (if we found ourselves)

Antonyms

nos fuéramos (if we left)

Common Collocations

Si estuviéramos allí – If we were there
Como si estuviéramos – As if we were

💡 Grammar Points

The 'What If' Form

This word is a special version of 'estar' (to be). It is used for imaginary scenarios, especially after the word 'si' (if) when the situation isn't real.

Expressing Wishes

Use this after phrases like 'Me gustaría que...' (I would like that...) to talk about a situation you wish was true for 'us'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong 'were'

Mistake: "Si estábamos en casa..."

Correction: Si estuviéramos en casa...

⭐ Usage Tips

The Alternative Form

You might occasionally hear 'estuviésemos'. It means the exact same thing as 'estuviéramos' and is just a stylistic choice, though 'estuviéramos' is much more common.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

present

yoesté

nosotrosestemos

ellos/ellas/ustedesestén

túestés

vosotrosestéis

él/ella/ustedesté

imperfect

yoestuviera / estuviese

nosotrosestuviéramos / estuviésemos

ellos/ellas/ustedesestuvieran / estuviesen

túestuvieras / estuvieses

vosotrosestuvierais / estuvieseis

él/ella/ustedestuviera / estuviese

indicative

present

yoestoy

nosotrosestamos

ellos/ellas/ustedesestán

túestás

vosotrosestáis

él/ella/ustedestá

imperfect

yoestaba

nosotrosestábamos

ellos/ellas/ustedesestaban

túestabas

vosotrosestabais

él/ella/ustedestaba

preterite

yoestuve

nosotrosestuvimos

ellos/ellas/ustedesestuvieron

túestuviste

vosotrosestuvisteis

él/ella/ustedestuvo

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: estuviéramos

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence means 'If we were rich...'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

estar(to be) - verb

estado(state or status) - noun

estancia(a stay or room) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between estuviéramos and estuviésemos?

There is no difference in meaning. 'Estuviéramos' is more common in Latin America and in spoken Spanish, while 'estuviésemos' is slightly more formal or common in literature and parts of Spain.

Does this word mean 'we were' in the past?

Not usually. For a simple past (e.g., 'We were there yesterday'), use 'estuvimos' or 'estábamos'. Use 'estuviéramos' for 'what if' situations.