Estuviesen (en. Were)

/es.tu.ˈβje.sen/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish

verb

Indicates an action or state in the past in a hypothetical or wishful context.

If they were here, the party would be more fun.

Si ellos estuviesen aquí, la fiesta sería más divertida.

Used to express past situations that are contrary to reality.

I wish we were at the beach right now.

Ojalá estuviésemos en la playa ahora mismo.

Used in type 2 conditional sentences.

If we were in class, we couldn't go out.

Si estuviésemos en clase, no podríamos salir.

From the verb 'to be', originating from the Latin 'stare', which means 'to be, to remain'.

If they were here

Expresses a desire for someone's presence in a place.

Si estuviesen aquí

I wish they were

Manifests yearning for a different situation in the past.

Ojalá estuviesen

As if we were at home

Urges comfort in a place different from the usual.

Como si estuviésemos en casa

Verb that means 'to exist, to be located in a place'.

estar

state

Condition or situation in which something or someone is found.

estado

exist

To have reality, to be present in space or time.

existir

Used colloquially to express longing in a conversation.

Oh, if we were somewhere else!

¡Ay, si estuviésemos en otro lugar!

Used ironically in a context of frustration.

I already wish we were on vacation.

Ya desearía que estuviésemos en vacaciones.