Inklingo

How to Say "we were" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “we were” is “estábamos” — use 'estábamos' to describe an ongoing action, a state, or a location in the past that was in progress when something else happened or when you want to set the scene..

estábamosA2

Use 'estábamos' to describe an ongoing action, a state, or a location in the past that was in progress when something else happened or when you want to set the scene.

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fuimos🔊A1

Use 'fuimos' to describe a completed action or a state in the past that is viewed as a whole, often indicating identity, profession, or a specific, finished period.

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éramosA2

Use 'éramos' for descriptions, habitual actions, or states in the past that were ongoing or characteristic over a period, especially when referring to identity or nature.

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estuvimos🔊A1

Use 'estuvimos' to talk about a completed action related to location or a temporary state in the past that has a defined beginning and end.

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teníamos🔊A2

Use 'teníamos' to express past states related to age, feelings, possession, or physical conditions like hunger or cold.

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estuviéramosB1

Use 'estuviéramos' in hypothetical or imaginary past situations, often in the subjunctive mood, to express what 'we would have been' or 'we would be' under different circumstances.

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English → Spanish

estábamos

verbA2general
Use 'estábamos' to describe an ongoing action, a state, or a location in the past that was in progress when something else happened or when you want to set the scene.

Examples

Estábamos comiendo cuando sonó el teléfono.

We were eating when the phone rang.

fuimos

/fwée-mos//'fwi.mos/

verbA1general
Use 'fuimos' to describe a completed action or a state in the past that is viewed as a whole, often indicating identity, profession, or a specific, finished period.
Two stylized children standing together, smiling proudly, wearing matching blue shirts, symbolizing a shared past state or identity.

Examples

Fuimos amigos durante muchos años.

We were friends for many years.

Cuando éramos niños, fuimos vecinos.

When we were children, we were neighbors (for a specific time).

Fuimos los primeros en terminar el trabajo.

We were the first ones to finish the job.

Ser vs. Estar in the Past

Use 'fuimos' (from ser) for descriptions that were completed in the past (e.g., being the first), rather than temporary states, which would use estar (estuvimos).

Confusing Ser and Ir

Mistake: “Fuimos doctores al hospital. (Ambiguous: 'We went doctors' or 'We were doctors'?)”

Correction: Fuimos doctores. (We were doctors.) If you mean 'went', the context must make that clear, usually by mentioning a place.

éramos

verbA2general
Use 'éramos' for descriptions, habitual actions, or states in the past that were ongoing or characteristic over a period, especially when referring to identity or nature.

Examples

Éramos muy jóvenes entonces.

We were very young then.

estuvimos

/es-too-VEE-mos//estuˈβimos/

verbA1general
Use 'estuvimos' to talk about a completed action related to location or a temporary state in the past that has a defined beginning and end.
A simple storybook illustration showing two smiling children sitting side-by-side on a wooden park bench in a sunny park.

Examples

Estuvimos en Madrid la semana pasada.

We were in Madrid last week.

Ayer estuvimos en la casa de mis abuelos toda la tarde.

Yesterday we were at my grandparents' house all afternoon.

¿Cómo les fue? Estuvimos muy preocupados por el retraso.

How did it go? We were very worried about the delay.

Estuvimos de vacaciones en México el mes pasado.

We were on vacation in Mexico last month.

The 'We' Form in the Past

Estuvimos is the 'we' form (nosotros) of the verb 'estar' (to be) in the simple past tense (preterite). It describes an action or state that started and finished completely in the past.

Ser vs. Estar Distinction

We use 'estar' (and thus 'estuvimos') for temporary things: location, feelings, health, or conditions that change. We use 'ser' (like 'fuimos') for permanent characteristics, identity, or origin.

Mixing up Estuvimos and Éramos

Mistake: “Éramos en el parque.”

Correction: Estuvimos en el parque. ('Éramos' is for permanent description, 'estuvimos' is for location.)

Mixing up Estuvimos and Fuimos

Mistake: “Estuvimos a la fiesta.”

Correction: Fuimos a la fiesta. ('Fuimos' is 'we went'; 'estuvimos' is 'we were' (already there).)

teníamos

/te-NEE-ah-mohs//teˈni.a.mos/

verbA2general
Use 'teníamos' to express past states related to age, feelings, possession, or physical conditions like hunger or cold.
Two figures wearing thick knitted blue sweaters, huddled together tightly and visibly shivering in a snowy environment, indicating they were cold.

Examples

Teníamos mucho frío esa noche.

We were very cold that night.

En 2010, teníamos veinte años.

In 2010, we were twenty years old.

No desayunamos, así que teníamos mucha hambre.

We didn't eat breakfast, so we were very hungry.

Teníamos miedo de la oscuridad.

We were afraid of the dark.

Using 'Tener' for Feelings and States

In Spanish, you often 'have' a feeling instead of 'being' it. For example, you 'have' hunger ('tener hambre') or 'have' age ('tener veinte años'). 'Teníamos' means 'we were' in these special phrases.

Not 'Estábamos Hambre'

Mistake: “Estábamos hambre.”

Correction: Teníamos hambre. Remember the key phrases: 'tener hambre' (to be hungry), 'tener sed' (to be thirsty), and 'tener ... años' (to be ... years old). These always use 'tener', not 'estar' or 'ser'.

estuviéramos

verbB1general
Use 'estuviéramos' in hypothetical or imaginary past situations, often in the subjunctive mood, to express what 'we would have been' or 'we would be' under different circumstances.

Examples

Si estuviéramos allí, habríamos visto el espectáculo.

If we were there, we would have seen the show.

Imperfect vs. Preterite for Past States

The most common mistake is confusing 'estábamos' (imperfect) with 'estuvimos' (preterite). Remember: 'estábamos' describes an ongoing state or action in the past, while 'estuvimos' refers to a completed state or action with a clear endpoint.

Related Translations

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