spoke, were speaking, talked
Os quadros falavam do principal negócio deste homem.
The paintings were about this man's main business.
Eu não sabia que Tom e Mary falavam francês.
I didn’t know that Tom and Mary spoke French.
As meninas falavam de meninos.
The girls were talking about boys.
Como falavam em chinês, não percebi nada do que eles disseram.
Since they were speaking Chinese, I didn't understand anything they said.
Antes, todos os homens falavam a mesma língua.
Before, all men spoke the same language.
As meninas falavam dos meninos.
The girls were talking about the boys.