ellos mataban

killed, were killing

→ matar
mat to kill + aban 3rd-person plural imperfect (indicative or subjunctive)
verb · third plural · imperfect indicative Rare #45,248
killed, were killing
SP: Los soldados mataban a los animales para alimentarse.
EN: The soldiers killed animals to feed themselves.
Conjugation of matar
Indicative imperfect
SingularPlural
First mataba —
Third mataba mataban
Subjunctive imperfect
SingularPlural
First mataba —
Third mataba mataban

Mataban una llama todos los días para satisfacer al dios solar.

They killed a llama every day to appease the sun god.

Entonces vi como mataban a los cerdos con un punzón.

Then I saw them killing the pigs with an awl.

— The Chaser (2008)

Mataban el tiempo jugando a las cartas.

They killed time playing cards.

Viste como mataban a tus compatriotas.

You saw your fellow countrymen being killed.

— Ip Man (2008)