Estuvieran (en. Were)

/es.tuˈβje.ɾan/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish

verb

Indicates the existence or situation of something in a past time in the subjunctive mood.

If they were here, we could start.

Si ellos estuvieran aquí, podríamos empezar.

Used in conditional sentences that express hypothetical situations.

If we were in summer, we would go to the beach.

Si estuviéramos en verano, iríamos a la playa.

Part of the conjugation of verbs in hypothetical pasts.

I wish he were at the meeting.

Ojalá que él estuviera en la reunión.

It comes from the verb 'estar', from the Latin 'stare', which means 'to stand' or 'to be situated'.

If they were alive

Reference to the possibility that someone was present.

Si estuvieran vivos

If only they were here

Expression of desire for someone's presence.

Si solo estuvieran aquí

I wish they were in agreement

Hope that others share the same opinion.

Ojalá estuvieran de acuerdo

to be

Verb that describes a state or condition.

estar

I was

First person singular of the preterite of the verb 'to be'.

estuve

he/she/it be

Present subjunctive form of the verb 'to be'.

esté

Used in a context of envy.

If only they were at our party, they would have a great time.

Si solo estuvieran en nuestra fiesta, se lo pasarían genial.

Expression of frustration due to lack of company.

I wish we were all together like before.

Me gustaría que estuviéramos todos juntos como antes.