Yap.Town

stavano facendo

they were doing

→ stare
phrase Rare #32,224
they were doing Describes an action that was ongoing in the past. Depending on context, facendo can also mean “making.”
IT: Stavano facendo una torta quando sono arrivato.
EN: They were making a cake when I arrived.

Tom e Mary amavano ciò che stavano facendo.

Tom and Mary loved what they were doing.

Che stavano facendo all'ospedale Tom e Mary?

What were Tom and Mary doing at the hospital?

Lo stavano facendo in una volante.

They were doing it in a patrol car.

— Carandiru (2003)

Ti stavano facendo baciare un cane.

They were making you kiss a dog.

— The Way He Looks (2014)

La stavano facendo tutti.

Everyone was doing it.

Pablo, che cazzo le stavano facendo a quella donna?!

Pablo, what the fuck were they doing to that woman?!

— [REC] (2007)

Le interruppe mentre stavano facendo colazione.

He interrupted them while they were having breakfast.