ellos estuvieran

were

e s t u ˈb j e ɾ a n → estar
estuv to be + ieran they subjunctive
verb · third plural · subjunctive Rare #26,184
were Imperfect subjunctive (ellos/ellas/ustedes) of "estar"; often used after expressions of doubt, desire, or in hypothetical clauses.
SP: Si ellos estuvieran aquí, podrían ayudarte.
EN: If they were here, they could help you.
Conjugation of estar
Subjunctive
SingularPlural
Second estés estéis
Third — estuvieran

Eso solo podría pasar si ellos todavía estuvieran en el país.

That could only happen if they were still in the country.

Si todos en el mundo estuvieran cómodos, ¿quién haría el rap?

If everyone in the world were comfortable, who would make rap?

— Gully Boy (2019)

Quería que ustedes dos estuvieran en esto.

I wanted you two to be in this.

Todo iría mejor si todos esos hombres estuvieran muertos.

Everything would go better if all those men were dead.

— Yojimbo. El mercenario (1961)

Han esperado a que todos estuvieran de permiso para hacerlo.

They waited until everyone was cleared to do it.

— Star Trek II: La ira de Khan (1982)

Su padre les pidió a todos que estuvieran en casa mañana.

Their father asked them all to be home tomorrow.

Empezó a pensar en cosas que decirle cuando estuvieran lo suficientemente cerca.

He started thinking of things to say to her when they were close enough.

— It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

Les dijo a los estudiantes que estuvieran callados.

He told the students to be quiet.

Dormían en habitaciones separadas hasta que estuvieran casados.

They slept in separate rooms until they were married.

No pensé que estuvieran interesados en rifles Mosin.

I didn't think they'd be interested in Mosin rifles.

— Hermano 2 (2000)

Su padre pidió que todos estuvieran en casa mañana.

His father asked everyone to be home tomorrow.

Desearía que estuvieran aquí arriba todo el tiempo.

I wish they were up here all the time.

auxiliary · third plural · subjunctive Rare #40,119
were Imperfect subjunctive (they/you all formal were), used after triggers like doubt, emotion, or in hypothetical clauses.
SP: Era mejor que ellos no estuvieran aquí.
EN: It was better that they weren’t here.
Conjugation of estar
Subjunctive
SingularPlural
First — estemos
Second estés —
Third — estuvieran

Ellas defienden sus errores como si estuvieran defendiendo su herencia.

They defend their mistakes as if they were defending their heritage.

Parece que estuvieran esperando que los queme.

It seems like they were waiting for me to burn them.

— Burning (2018)

Lo que sea que estuvieran pintando era grande.

Whatever they were painting was big.

Como si estuvieran hablando.

As if they were talking.

— El laberinto del fauno (2006)

Es como si ustedes estuvieran hablando mierda o algo así.

It's like you guys are talking shit or something.

— The Smashing Machine (2025)

Parece como si estuvieran intentando no reírse.

It looks like they’re trying not to laugh.

Sounds similar to