estivesse brincando

were joking

→ estar

phrase Rare #37,202

were joking Used to express that someone was joking or kidding, usually after verbs or expressions of doubt, hope, or thought. Literally, it can mean “were playing,” depending on context.

PO: Achei que você estivesse brincando.

EN: I thought you were joking.

Não me pareceu que você estivesse brincando.

It didn't seem to me like you were joking.

Espero que Tom estivesse brincando.

I hope Tom was joking.

Eu pensei que estivesse brincando.

I thought you were joking.

Tom achou que Maria estivesse brincando.

Tom thought Maria was joking.

Se estivesse brincando, você estaria rindo.

If I were joking, you would be laughing.

— Salyut 7 (2017)