estava jogando

was playing

→ estar

phrase Rare #31,616

was playing The imperfect form of estar plus the gerund of jogar, used for an ongoing action in the past. Depending on context, jogar can refer to playing a sport or game, or acting in a particular way, as in jogar duro.

PO: Ela estava jogando vôlei com os amigos.

EN: She was playing volleyball with her friends.

Só estava jogando duro com ele.

I was just playing hard to get with him.

— Comer Beber Viver (1994)

Tom estava jogando basquete com um grupo de amigos.

Tom was playing basketball with a group of friends.

Onde é que Tony estava jogando, então?

So where was Tony playing, then?

Quem estava jogando?

Who was playing?

— Tempo de Viver (1994)

Tom estava jogando golfe naquela manhã.

Tom was playing golf that morning.

Eu não estava jogando o meu melhor.

I wasn't playing my best.

— Marty Supreme (2025)

Sabe aquela cena, quando ele estava jogando?

You know that scene, when he was playing?