How to Say "were" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “were” is “estaban” — use 'estaban' when referring to the past location or position of multiple people or things, or a temporary state or feeling experienced by multiple people or things..
estaban
/es-TAH-bahn//esˈta.βan/
Examples
Los niños estaban en el parque.
The children were in the park.
Los libros estaban sobre la mesa.
The books were on the table.
Ayer, mis padres no estaban en casa.
Yesterday, my parents weren't at home.
¿Ustedes estaban en el cine cuando llamé?
Were you all at the movies when I called?
Who is 'estaban' for?
Use 'estaban' when talking about 'they' (ellos/ellas) or 'you all' (ustedes). It's the past tense form of 'están'.
Describing a Past Scene
This verb form, called the imperfect, is perfect for setting the scene in a story. It describes where people or things were over a period of time, not just for a single moment.
Temporary States, Not Permanent Traits
Use 'estaban' for feelings, moods, and conditions that can change. Think of it as describing 'how' something was, not 'what' it was.
Using 'estaban' vs. 'estuvieron'
Mistake: “Mis amigos estaban en el concierto anoche. (Implies they were there for an indefinite time, maybe you didn't see the end.)”
Correction: Mis amigos estuvieron en el concierto anoche. (This is better for saying they went to a completed event.) Use 'estaban' to describe the background, and 'estuvieron' for a finished action.
'Estaban' vs. 'Eran' (Ser)
Mistake: “Ellos eran tristes ayer.”
Correction: Ellos estaban tristes ayer. Use 'estaban' for a temporary feeling (sadness). 'Eran tristes' would mean they were sad people in general, as a personality trait.
estaban
/es-TAH-bahn//esˈta.βan/
Examples
Los estudiantes estaban cansados después del examen.
The students were tired after the exam.
Los libros estaban sobre la mesa.
The books were on the table.
Ayer, mis padres no estaban en casa.
Yesterday, my parents weren't at home.
¿Ustedes estaban en el cine cuando llamé?
Were you all at the movies when I called?
Who is 'estaban' for?
Use 'estaban' when talking about 'they' (ellos/ellas) or 'you all' (ustedes). It's the past tense form of 'están'.
Describing a Past Scene
This verb form, called the imperfect, is perfect for setting the scene in a story. It describes where people or things were over a period of time, not just for a single moment.
Temporary States, Not Permanent Traits
Use 'estaban' for feelings, moods, and conditions that can change. Think of it as describing 'how' something was, not 'what' it was.
Using 'estaban' vs. 'estuvieron'
Mistake: “Mis amigos estaban en el concierto anoche. (Implies they were there for an indefinite time, maybe you didn't see the end.)”
Correction: Mis amigos estuvieron en el concierto anoche. (This is better for saying they went to a completed event.) Use 'estaban' to describe the background, and 'estuvieron' for a finished action.
'Estaban' vs. 'Eran' (Ser)
Mistake: “Ellos eran tristes ayer.”
Correction: Ellos estaban tristes ayer. Use 'estaban' for a temporary feeling (sadness). 'Eran tristes' would mean they were sad people in general, as a personality trait.
fuera
/FWEH-rah//ˈfweɾa/
Examples
Si yo fuera rico, viajaría por el mundo.
If I were rich, I would travel the world.
Si yo fuera tú, aceptaría el trabajo.
If I were you, I would accept the job.
Ojalá fuera tan fácil.
I wish it were that easy.
Se comporta como si fuera el jefe.
He behaves as if he were the boss.
The 'What If' Verb Form
'Fuera' is a special form of 'ser' (to be) used for wishes, doubts, and 'what if' situations. It doesn't state a fact, but explores a possibility.
Using 'era' for hypotheticals
Mistake: “Si yo era rico, compraría un barco.”
Correction: Si yo fuera rico, compraría un barco. For 'what if' sentences starting with 'si' (if), you need the special 'fuera' form, not the regular past tense 'era'.
Estaban vs. Fuera in Hypotheticals
Related Translations
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