ellos estaban

were

e s ˈt a b a n → estar
estab to be + an ellos/ellas imperfect
verb · third plural · imperfect indicative Very common #847
were imperfect tense (they/you all were); often used for ongoing states in the past
SP: Cuando llegué, ellos estaban en casa.
EN: When I arrived, they were at home.
Conjugation of estar
Indicative imperfect
SingularPlural
First estaba estábamos
Second estabas estabais
Third estaba estaban
Subjunctive imperfect
SingularPlural
First estaba estábamos
Second estabas estabais
Third estaba estaban

Estaban totalmente empapados de sudor.

They were completely soaked with sweat.

Los que estaban ahí.

Those who were there.

— Roma (2018)

Soñé que esas dos niñas rubias estaban allí.

I dreamed that those two blonde girls were there.

Los jugadores estaban de muy buen ánimo después del partido.

The players were in very good spirits after the game.

Todos los activos estaban a su nombre.

All the assets were in his name.

— La asistenta (2025)

Ella se presentó ante las personas que estaban ahí.

She introduced herself to the people who were there.

Estaban de oferta, así que pensé que sería buena idea.

They were on sale, so I thought it would be a good idea.

— Scary Movie (2000)

Ayer estaban acá.

They were here yesterday.

— La sociedad de la nieve (2023)

Los detectives estaban desorientados.

The detectives were disoriented.

Los dos enemigos estaban frente a frente.

The two enemies stood face to face.

Desapareciste, tus fotos estaban en el laboratorio.

You disappeared, your photos were in the lab.

— Ciudad de Dios (2002)

Todos los ojos estaban puestos en Milkha.

All eyes were on Milkha.

— Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

Sólo el sacristán y un niño, pero estaban muertos de miedo.

Only the sacristan and a boy, but they were scared to death.

— Roma. Ciudad abierta (1945)

Todos los venenos más letales estaban en su laboratorio.

All the most lethal poisons were in his laboratory.

Además, la mitad de los vecinos estaban allí.

In addition, half of the neighbors were there.

— Hellfire (2026)

Los dos estaban desnudos.

They were both naked.

Estaban justo aquí.

They were right here.

Pero ahí estaban tus recuerdos.

But there were your memories.

— Durante la tormenta (2018)

Pensé que todas estaban muertas.

I thought they were all dead.

— Bacurau (2019)

Muchos de los estudiantes estaban cansados.

Many of the students were tired.

Los otros dos estaban aún más tristes.

The other two were even sadder.

— 3 Idiots (2009)

Algunos estaban borrachos la mayor parte del tiempo.

Some were drunk most of the time.

Estaban muertos.

They were dead.

Las entrañas de alguien estaban por todo el piso.

Someone's entrails were all over the floor.

— El hombre de la Tierra (2007)

Estaban en el suelo, en un charco.

They were on the ground, in a puddle.

— La dolce vita (1960)

Los niños estaban destrozados.

The children were devastated.

— Eternity (2025)

Los cerezos estaban en flor.

The cherry trees were in bloom.

Sus ojos estaban llenos de tristeza.

Her eyes were filled with sadness.

Muchos de los niños estaban casi desnudos.

Many of the children were almost naked.

Estaban parados.

They were standing still.

Todos los cajones del escritorio estaban vacíos.

All the desk drawers were empty.

Todas estaban molestas.

They were all upset.

Estaban en la prisión.

They were in prison.

— París, je t'aime (2006)

Las calles estaban vacías.

The streets were empty.

Miles de personas estaban ahí.

Thousands of people were there.

Mis padres estaban cansados después de un día tan largo de viaje.

My parents were tired after such a long day of travel.

Estaban Pete Thorpe, Hashmi y otro más escuchando lo que decían.

Pete Thorpe, Hashmi, and one other person were listening to what they were saying.

— Kajaki (2014)

Los alumnos estaban nerviosos antes del examen final.

The students were nervous before the final exam.

Estaban por robarme?

Were they about to rob me?

— Érase una vez en… Hollywood (2019)

Mis manos y pies estaban fríos como el hielo.

My hands and feet were as cold as ice.

Sus manos estaban cubiertas con lodo.

His hands were covered in mud.

Sólo estaban él y ese tipo.

It was just him and that guy.

Estaban en un restaurante cuando se enteraron del resultado.

They were in a restaurant when they found out the result.

Tom y Mary estaban muy cansados para discutir entre ellos.

Tom and Mary were too tired to argue with each other.

Pensé que estaban en el gimnasio.

I thought they were at the gym.

Los dos hermanos estaban allí.

The two brothers were there.

Al menos lo estaban cuando se fueron.

At least they were when they left.

Mis compañeros estaban todos dormidos.

My colleagues were all asleep.

Estaban equivocadas.

They were wrong.

Ustedes dos estaban borrachos.

You two were drunk.

Nunca estaban solas.

They were never alone.

Estaban aquí cuando llegué.

They were here when I arrived.

— Memories of Murder (Crónica de un asesino en serie) (2003)

Bueno, nuestros hijos estaban destinados a conocerse.

Well, our children were destined to meet.

Los ladrones sabían exactamente dónde estaban los puntos ciegos.

The thieves knew exactly where the blind spots were.

— Ahora me ves 3 (2025)

Mis alumnos estaban preocupados.

My students were worried.

— La ola (2008)

Yo comí mientras ustedes estaban en el supermercado.

I ate while you were at the supermarket.

Los dormitorios, donde vieron a los niños por última vez, estaban en llamas.

The bedrooms, where the children were last seen, were on fire.

— Los chicos del coro (2004)

Ellos no estaban de acuerdo con Mary.

They didn’t agree with Mary.

Las puertas estaban abiertas.

The doors were open.

— El agente secreto (2025)

Tom y Mary se estaban por sentar a cenar cuando John golpeó la puerta.

Tom and Mary were about to sit down to dinner when John knocked on the door.

La mitad de las manzanas estaban podridas.

Half of the apples were rotten.

Los zapatos estaban hechos de un material suave que parecía cuero.

The shoes were made of a soft material that looked like leather.

Estaban todos hace un rato.

They were all here a while ago.

— Chungking Express (1994)

Las muchachas estaban sensibles.

The girls were sensitive.

Ellos se dieron por vencidos cuando vieron que estaban por perder.

They gave up when they saw they were about to lose.

Estaban casados.

They were married.

Mi padre murió cuando las flores de los cerezos estaban en su apogeo.

My father died when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

Mis amigos estaban tan borrachos que tuve que llevarlos a su casa.

My friends were so drunk that I had to take them home.

De mandar a asesinos a una cárcel a la que estaban ya condenados.

From sending murderers to a prison to which they were already condemned.

— Mystic River (2003)

Todas las respuestas a esa pregunta estaban equivocadas.

All the answers to that question were wrong.

El cuerpo fue identificado por los documentos que estaban con la víctima.

The body was identified by the documents that were with the victim.

Tom y su cómplice estaban armados con fusiles de asalto.

Tom and his accomplice were armed with assault rifles.

Yo quería cambiarme de sitio, pero todos los demás asientos estaban ocupados.

I wanted to change seats, but all the other seats were taken.

Estaban demasiado cansados para trabajar más.

They were too tired to work anymore.

Sus padres estaban furiosos.

His parents were furious.

Mira, te dije que estaban aquí.

Look, I told you they were here.

— Tesis (1996)

Ellas estaban enfermas.

They were sick.

Tanto Tom como María estaban entusiasmados.

Both Tom and Maria were excited.

Todas las sillas estaban ocupadas.

All the chairs were occupied.

Nos asombró escuchar que las cosas estaban tan baratas.

We were amazed to hear that things were so cheap.

Estaban dormidos.

They were asleep.

— Volver (2006)

Era claro que Julio y Tenoch no tenían idea de dónde estaban.

It was clear that Julio and Tenoch had no idea where they were.

— Y tu mamá también (2001)

Los platos del desayuno todavía estaban en el fregadero.

The breakfast dishes were still in the sink.

En media hora ya estaban ebrios.

Within half an hour, they were already drunk.

— Toni Erdmann (2016)

Pero Natsumi y Nagi estaban de camino.

But Natsumi and Nagi were on their way.

— El tiempo contigo (2019)

Todas las chicas de la universidad estaban enamoradas de él.

All the girls at the university were in love with him.

— बर्फी! (2012)

Estaban listos.

They were ready.

Los bancos de datos estaban vacíos.

The databases were empty.

— Star Trek II: La ira de Khan (1982)

Estoy diciendo que estaban ahí.

I'm saying they were there.

Los padres de Tom estaban hechos polvo.

Tom’s parents were devastated.

Miles de hombres estaban de camino a Washington.

Thousands of men were on their way to Washington.

Estaban muy contentos.

They were very happy.

— Los chicos del coro (2004)

Nuestros caminos estaban destinados a reunirse.

Our paths were destined to meet.

— Bullet Train (2022)

Al comienzo, pensé que estaban enfermas.

At first, I thought they were sick.

Estaban en la cola del cine más de una hora sin moverse.

They were in the cinema queue for over an hour without moving.

Tom y Mary estaban en la misma clase el año pasado.

Tom and Mary were in the same class last year.

Las faldas largas estaban de moda en esos días.

Long skirts were fashionable in those days.

No, estaban dado vueltas.

No, they were turned upside down.

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Tom y María estaban sorprendidos ambos.

Tom and Maria were both surprised.

Estaban por aquí.

They were around here.

— The Chaser (2008)

Mis abuelos estaban en el pueblo cuando ocurrió el terremoto.

My grandparents were in the village when the earthquake happened.

Estaban en medio de la calle cortando el tráfico por la protesta.

They were in the middle of the street blocking traffic because of the protest.

Tom y Mary estaban fuera en el balcón a las dos de la mañana.

Tom and Mary were out on the balcony at two in the morning.

Los árboles estaban cubiertos de nieve.

The trees were covered in snow.

Tom dio una gran fiesta en su casa mientras sus padres estaban de vacaciones.

Tom threw a big party at his house while his parents were on vacation.

Estaban por todas partes.

They were everywhere.

Sus manos estaban vacías.

His hands were empty.

Todos los perros estaban vivos.

All the dogs were alive.

Las fotos estaban dentro.

The photos were inside.

— No se lo digas a nadie (2006)

Las cortinas estaban abiertas.

The curtains were open.

Estaban enfermos.

They were sick.

Estaban absolutamente sorprendidos.

They were absolutely surprised.

Estaban seguros de ganar el partido pero los sorprendieron en el segundo tiempo.

They were sure of winning the game but were surprised in the second half.

Los trabajadores estaban desnudos hasta las caderas.

The workers were naked from the hips down.

Pensé que Tom y Mary estaban locos.

I thought Tom and Mary were crazy.

Oí que estaban atrapados por la nieve, así que pedí un favor.

I heard they were trapped by the snow, so I asked for a favor.

— Black Phone 2 (2025)

Estaban escasos de personal.

They were short-staffed.

Dijeron que estaban aburridos.

They said they were bored.

Helgi y Hayrünnisa estaban casados.

Helgi and Hayrünnisa were married.

Todos los estudiantes estaban ahí.

All the students were there.

Los dos países estaban unidos bajo un solo Gobierno.

The two countries were united under a single government.

Él aprobó por lo que sus padres estaban felices.

He passed, so his parents were happy.

Estaban aquí.

They were here.

Tom y Mary dijeron que estaban desorientados.

Tom and Mary said they were disoriented.

Me quité las botas porque mis pies estaban congelados.

I took off my boots because my feet were frozen.

Nuestras coordenadas estaban mal.

Our coordinates were wrong.

— Máquina de guerra (2026)

Estaban sorprendidos.

They were surprised.

Primero, en esa clase estaban prohibidos los dispositivos.

First, devices were prohibited in that class.

— TÁR (2022)

Tus zapatillas estaban rotas.

Your sneakers were broken.

Las chicas estaban sensibles.

The girls were sensitive.

Sus mejillas estaban rojas.

Her cheeks were red.

Pero muchos estaban en clase de recuperación.

But many were in remedial classes.

— ¡Que te den profe! (2013)

Estaban fríos como una piedra.

They were as cold as a stone.

— Enrique V (1989)

Les atraen las cosas que hacían cuando estaban vivos.

They are drawn to the things they used to do when they were alive.

— Los muertos no mueren (2019)

Habría que hablar con los que estaban aquí.

We would have to talk to those who were here.

— Incendies (2010)

Su mujer y su hijo ya estaban profundamente dormidos.

His wife and son were already fast asleep.

Estaban bien.

They were fine.

Pensaba que mis ideas estaban tan claras.

I thought my ideas were so clear.

— Fellini, ocho y medio (1963)

Estaban todos.

They were all there.

Cuando estaba con ellos en la habitación, estaban serios.

When I was with them in the room, they were serious.

— Quemado por el sol (1994)

Salvo para follar, Tyler y Marla nunca estaban en el mismo cuarto.

Except for fucking, Tyler and Marla were never in the same room.

— El club de la lucha (1999)

Las bailarinas estaban agotadas.

The dancers were exhausted.

Estaban de oferta, así que las compré.

They were on sale, so I bought them.

— Scary Movie (2000)

Los asientos estaban tan juntos que no podía mover las piernas.

The seats were so close together that I couldn't move my legs.

Las damas estaban de traje largo.

The ladies were wearing long dresses.

Algunas de las manzanas de la caja estaban podridas.

Some of the apples in the box were rotten.

Los pájaros estaban hambrientos.

The birds were hungry.

Me parecía que estaban contentos.

It seemed to me that they were happy.

— Oh Boy (2012)

Las flores estaban marchitas por falta de agua durante la semana.

The flowers were wilted due to lack of water during the week.

Los documentos estaban en el cajón del escritorio todo este tiempo.

The documents were in the desk drawer all this time.

La Tercera Señora y el Doctor Gao estaban en un hotel de la ciudad.

The Third Lady and Dr. Gao were in a hotel in the city.

— La linterna roja (1991)

Entonces ¿qué tal estaban mis tallarines?

So, how were my noodles?

— Tampopo (1985)

Todas las casas en la ciudad estaban vacías.

All the houses in the city were empty.

Los dos estaban borrachos.

They were both drunk.

Estaban juntos.

They were together.

Pero ahí estaban los niños.

But the children were there.

— El orfanato (2007)

Creí que las mujeres estaban por encima de eso.

I thought women were above that.

Los ojos de Tom estaban pegados a la pantalla.

Tom's eyes were glued to the screen.

Comprobé las cartas y estaban en su sitio.

I checked the cards and they were in their place.

— Perdición (1944)

Estaban motivados por la venganza.

They were motivated by revenge.

Estaban en el hospital cuando recibieron la buena noticia.

They were in the hospital when they received the good news.

Aunque no lo creas, ayer olvidaste dónde estaban tu escritorio y casillero.

Believe it or not, yesterday you forgot where your desk and locker were.

— Your Name (2016)

Tus padres estaban en su dormitorio, dos pisos más arriba.

Your parents were in their bedroom, two floors up.

— Anatomía de una caída (2023)

Los libros estaban juntos en la estantería de arriba a la derecha.

The books were together on the top right shelf.

Mary y Tom estaban de acuerdo.

Mary and Tom agreed.

Estaban más cerca y valen mucho más.

They were closer and worth much more.

— Paddington 2 (2017)

Los soldados estaban dispuestos a morir por su país.

The soldiers were willing to die for their country.

No sabía que Tom y Mary estaban aquí.

I didn’t know Tom and Mary were here.

Estaban en la playa todo el día y volvieron quemados por el sol.

They were at the beach all day and came back sunburned.

Tom y Mary estaban en la misma sintonía.

Tom and Mary were on the same page.

Las calles estaban vacías a esa hora de la madrugada.

The streets were empty at that early hour of the morning.

Carrera tras carrera, estaban cada vez más distantes el uno del otro.

Race after race, they were becoming increasingly distant from each other.

— Senna (2010)

Fui a casa de la señora Wagner y todos sus niños estaban allí.

I went to Mrs. Wagner's house, and all her children were there.

— La cinta blanca (2009)

Estaban por dispararle a Tom, pero él no lo sabía.

They were about to shoot Tom, but he didn't know it.

Mis respuestas estaban correctas.

My answers were correct.

Tom y Mary estaban invitados, así que se sintieron obligados a ir.

Tom and Mary were invited, so they felt obliged to go.

Los árboles estaban llenos de pájaros.

The trees were full of birds.

Todos los muebles estaban llenos de polvo.

All the furniture was covered in dust.

Pensé que estaban dormidas.

I thought they were asleep.

Todos excepto uno de los delegados estaban a favor de la propuesta.

All but one of the delegates were in favor of the proposal.

Estaban preparados para nosotros.

They were ready for us.

— Acantilado rojo (2008)

Pero mis manos estaban libres.

But my hands were free.

— Un lugar tranquilo (2018)

Estaban entusiasmados con las noticias.

They were excited about the news.

Estaban aquí ahora mismo.

They were here just a moment ago.

— Rang De Basanti (2006)

Ellos admitieron que estaban equivocados.

They admitted they were wrong.

Tomás llamó a María y le preguntó en qué año estaban.

Thomas called Mary and asked her what year it was.

Ellos no estaban conmigo.

They weren't with me.

Estaban todos aquí.

They were all here.

Ella le mostró varios libros que estaban en el estante.

She showed him several books that were on the shelf.

Las colinas estaban cubiertas de nieve.

The hills were covered in snow.

La mitad de los estudiantes estaban ausentes.

Half of the students were absent.

Los que estaban aquí ya se han ido.

Those who were here have already left.

En todo el viaje, mis pensamientos estaban en ti.

Throughout the entire trip, my thoughts were on you.

Estaban de pie.

They were standing.

Sus padres estaban fuera de la ciudad.

Her parents were out of town.

Las llaves estaban debajo del felpudo, como siempre las dejamos.

The keys were under the doormat, as we always leave them.

Ya estaban allí, pero no actuaron hasta que Mr. Blonde empezó a disparar.

They were already there, but they didn’t act until Mr. Blonde started shooting.

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Los cincuenta valientes caballeros estaban listos para la gran batalla.

The fifty brave knights were ready for the great battle.

Los bailarines estaban agotados.

The dancers were exhausted.

En la tienda estaban incómodos con él.

People in the store were uncomfortable with him.

auxiliary · third plural · imperfect indicative Common #2,998
were Imperfect tense (used for ongoing states/habits in the past) of “estar” (to be).
SP: Cuando llegué, ellos estaban en casa.
EN: When I arrived, they were at home.
Conjugation of estar
Indicative imperfect
SingularPlural
First — estábamos
Second estabas estabais
Third — estaban

Era algún producto químico que estaban enviando.

It was some kind of chemical product they were sending.

— Sin piedad (2026)

Se me estaban quedando frías las manos, de modo que me puse los guantes.

My hands were getting cold, so I put on my gloves.

Estaban discutiendo.

They were arguing.

— Solo en casa (1990)

Ellas estaban volviendo.

They were coming back.

— Las flores de la guerra (2011)

Estaban empezando a picar.

They were starting to bite.

— El regreso (2003)

Los perros estaban en el patio jugando con una pelota vieja.

The dogs were in the yard playing with an old ball.

Tom y Mary estaban conversando.

Tom and Mary were talking.

Porque nos estaban cazando.

Because they were hunting us.

— Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Desde luego las dos estaban llorando.

Of course, they were both crying.

— Comer, beber, amar (1994)

Los mosquitos me estaban comiendo vivo.

The mosquitoes were eating me alive.

Los soldados estaban marcando el tiempo.

The soldiers were keeping time.

Porque ahí estaban peleando por los derechos civiles.

Because they were fighting for civil rights there.

Todos en casa estaban preguntando.

Everyone at home was asking.

— Queen (2014)

Todos estaban bebiendo.

Everyone was drinking.

Algunos testigos del robo estaban dejando flores.

Some witnesses to the robbery were leaving flowers.

— Peaky Blinders: El hombre inmortal (2026)

Me estaban tratando tan mal que simplemente me perdí.

They were treating me so badly that I simply lost myself.

Me imaginé que estaban poniendo simples tubos.

I imagined they were putting in simple pipes.

— ¡Que te den profe! (2013)

Estaban bebiendo vino blanco seco.

They were drinking dry white wine.

Cuando lo estaban cazando.

When they were hunting him.

— El agente secreto (2025)

Ella y su novio estaban mirando porno.

She and her boyfriend were watching porn.

Ellos siempre estaban bromeando.

They were always joking around.

Estaban viendo la televisión.

They were watching television.

Las otras chicas también estaban bailando.

The other girls were also dancing.

— Queen (2014)

Ya estaban cerrando el piso, si no, habría aceptado más.

They were already closing the apartment, otherwise I would have accepted more.

— La asistenta (2025)

Las cosas estaban sucediendo muy rápido.

Things were happening very fast.

¡Vaya sorpresa! No tenía ni idea de que estaban organizando esto para mi cumpleaños.

What a surprise! I had no idea they were organizing this for my birthday.

Cuando estaban cenando, yo estaba con el postre.

While they were having dinner, I was with the dessert.

— Uno de los nuestros (1990)

Al llegar a casa, mis hermanas estaban cocinando.

When I got home, my sisters were cooking.

Ziri dijo que le estaban siguiendo.

Ziri said they were following him.

Los niños estaban durmiendo cuando sus abuelos les llamaron.

The children were sleeping when their grandparents called them.

Parecía que estaban contando una mentira.

It seemed like they were telling a lie.

Todos los muchachos estaban bailando.

All the boys were dancing.

Las deudas me estaban matando.

The debts were killing me.

— बर्फी! (2012)

Tom y Mary estaban trabajando juntos.

Tom and Mary were working together.

Y mis manos estaban temblando.

And my hands were trembling.

Pero está claro que tú no sabías que te estaban grabando.

But it's clear that you didn't know you were being recorded.

— Caché (Escondido) (2005)

Ellos no estaban escuchando música.

They weren't listening to music.

Se lo estaban montando en un coche de patrulla.

They were having sex in a patrol car.

— Carandiru (2003)

Una tarde calurosa de verano John y Dan estaban cortando la hierba larga.

One hot summer afternoon John and Dan were cutting the long grass.

Todos estaban escuchando atentamente.

Everyone was listening attentively.

Ellos ni siquiera sabían lo que estaban mirando.

They didn't even know what they were looking at.

Ella y sus amigas estaban recorriendo bares.

She and her friends were bar hopping.

Los patrones estaban durmiendo.

The bosses were sleeping.

— Relatos salvajes (2014)

Ellos estaban lavando la ropa.

They were washing clothes.

Tom y Mary ya estaban cenando cuando llegué a casa.

Tom and Mary were already having dinner when I got home.

Estaban jadeando.

They were panting.

Estaban discutiendo sobre política y la cosa se puso tensa.

They were arguing about politics and things got tense.

Ellas estaban nadando.

They were swimming.

Tom y su profesora estaban conversando.

Tom and his teacher were talking.

Estaban echando eso a la gente.

They were throwing that at people.

— Un lugar en ninguna parte (1988)

Pero lo estaban creyendo.

But they were believing it.

— Bullet Train (2022)

Le avisamos a las que estaban trabajando.

We let the women who were working know.

— La diva (1981)

Los perros estaban aullando a la luna.

The dogs were howling at the moon.

Tom y Mary estaban caminando a paso ligero.

Tom and Mary were walking briskly.

Y estaban gritando.

And they were screaming.

Algunos niños estaban nadando en la piscina.

Some children were swimming in the pool.

El guardia creía que estaban bromeando hasta que vio sus armas.

The guard thought they were joking until he saw their weapons.

Ellos te estaban persiguiendo.

They were chasing you.

— Queen (2014)

Algunas chicas estaban jugando al tenis.

Some girls were playing tennis.

Todos los chicos estaban gritando.

All the boys were screaming.

Me estaban saliendo canas y no me importaba.

I was getting gray hairs and I didn't care.

— Eternity (2025)

Estaban bebiendo de un pozo cerca de la casa de la granja vacía.

They were drinking from a well near the empty farmhouse.

— La venganza de Manon (1986)

Ellos estaban discutiendo por dinero.

They were arguing about money.

Estaban caminando de dos en fondo.

They were walking two abreast.

No sé lo que estaban leyendo Tomás y María.

I don't know what Tomás and María were reading.

Estaban tratando de hacer que el mundo fuera menos corrupto.

They were trying to make the world less corrupt.

— Ahora me ves 3 (2025)

Las manos se me estaban quedando frías, así que me puse los guantes.

My hands were getting cold, so I put on my gloves.

Te estaban siguiendo, Fio.

They were following you, Fio.

— Porco Rosso (1992)

Esos tipos estaban diciendo algo allí.

Those guys were saying something over there.

— Gully Boy (2019)

Le dije que nos estaban atacando los rusos.

I told him that the Russians were attacking us.

No podíamos entender lo que ellos estaban tratando de decir.

We couldn't understand what they were trying to say.

Estaban jugando al tenis.

They were playing tennis.

Todos me estaban mirando.

Everyone was looking at me.

Estaban planeando un viaje a Japón para las vacaciones de verano.

They were planning a trip to Japan for the summer holidays.

Algunas niñas estaban jugando al tenis.

Some girls were playing tennis.

Siempre le estaban partiendo la cara.

They were always kicking his butt.

Solo estaban bromeando.

They were just joking.

— Oh Boy (2012)

Dicen que algunos prisioneros estaban llamando al Lobo.

They say some prisoners were calling the Wolf.

Ellos no estaban durmiendo.

They weren't sleeping.

Estaban bebiendo.

They were drinking.

Para no perder la costumbre estaban discutiendo otra vez.

True to form, they were arguing again.

— Roma. Ciudad abierta (1945)

Vi que todos ya estaban ahí esperándome.

I saw that everyone was already there waiting for me.

Todos los teléfonos estaban sonando.

All the phones were ringing.

Estaban viendo una película cuando se fue la luz en todo el barrio.

They were watching a movie when the power went out in the whole neighborhood.

Ellos estaban escuchando la radio.

They were listening to the radio.

Estaban intentando hacer volar una cometa, pero el viento no estaba de su lado.

They were trying to fly a kite, but the wind wasn’t on their side.

Los pájaros estaban cantando en el cielo.

The birds were singing in the sky.

Y los hombres estaban conteniendo la respiración.

And the men were holding their breath.

— Atrápame si puedes (2002)

Sami y Layla no estaban conversando.

Sami and Layla weren’t talking.

Tom y su profesor estaban conversando.

Tom and his teacher were talking.

Estaban durmiendo.

They were sleeping.

Tal vez ellos no estaban pensando en nada.

Maybe they weren't thinking about anything.

Ziri decía que le estaban siguiendo.

Ziri said that he was being followed.

Tom y Mary estaban aún durmiendo cuando John se fue a la escuela.

Tom and Mary were still asleep when John left for school.

Dio la cara por su compañero cuando todos lo estaban acusando injustamente.

He stood up for his colleague when everyone was unfairly accusing him.

Fue entonces que oí lo que estaban pensando.

It was then that I heard what they were thinking.

Millones estaban celebrando la libertad de la India.

Millions were celebrating India's freedom.

— Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

Todos los muchachos estaban mirando a Tom.

All the boys were looking at Tom.

Mary sabía que la estaban siguiendo.

Mary knew she was being followed.

La estaban vigilando?

Were they keeping an eye on her?

— La diva (1981)

El policía separó a los dos hombres que estaban peleando.

The police officer separated the two men who were fighting.

Todos los chicos estaban bailando.

All the boys were dancing.

Todos estaban aplaudiendo.

Everyone was applauding.

Los operarios estaban subiendo y bajando la escalera.

The workers were going up and down the ladder.

Todos estaban disparando.

Everyone was shooting.

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

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