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español
estaban — meaning in English: They were
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They were
caballeros
usted
estaban
aquí
extraño
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native Spanish speakers often use 'estaban' when recounting past events, whether in casual conversations among friends or in storytelling contexts. For example, someone might say, 'Cuando llegué, ellos estaban en la playa,' which translates to 'When I arrived, they were at the beach,' highlighting a specific moment in time.
Synonyms & nuances
'Estaban' is the third-person plural form of 'estar' in the imperfect tense, which conveys ongoing past actions or states. Compared to 'fueron' (from 'ser'), which describes completed actions, 'estaban' emphasizes the continuity of a situation in the past, making it ideal for storytelling.
Culture
'Estaban' comes from the verb 'estar,' which means 'to be.' This verb is vital in Spanish, as it describes temporary states and locations. Interestingly, the use of 'estar' versus 'ser' (the other verb for 'to be') is a common source of confusion for learners, as each verb has distinct uses based on the nature of the state being described.
FAQ
