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estavam dormindo

were sleeping

→ estar
phrase Rare #27,272
were sleeping Used for an ongoing action in the past, referring to eles, elas, or a plural subject.
PO: Quando liguei, eles estavam dormindo.
EN: When I called, they were sleeping.

As meninas estavam dormindo.

The girls were sleeping.

As crianças estavam dormindo quando os avós as chamaram.

The children were sleeping when their grandparents called them.

Fadil e Layla estavam dormindo juntos.

Fadil and Layla were sleeping together.

Vocês estavam dormindo lá dentro?

Were you guys sleeping inside?

— Ele Está de Volta (2015)

Todos estavam dormindo.

Everyone was asleep.

Os patrões estavam dormindo.

The bosses were sleeping.

— Relatos Selvagens (2014)

Eles estavam dormindo.

They were sleeping.

Os pais de Tom estavam dormindo quando ele chegou em casa.

Tom's parents were sleeping when he got home.

Estavam dormindo.

They were sleeping.

— Volver (2006)