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ellos ponían

were becoming, were getting, were putting, used to put

→ poner
pon to put, to place + ían they were (imperfect)
verb · 3rd-person plural, imperfect tense Rare #34,509
were becoming, were getting Used with se to mean “become” or “get.”
SP: Con el frío, sus manos se ponían rojas.
EN: In the cold, her hands were getting red.
were putting, used to put
SP: Ponían los libros en la mesa.
EN: They were putting the books on the table.
Conjugation of poner
Indicative imperfect
SingularPlural
First ponía —
Third ponía ponían
Subjunctive imperfect
SingularPlural
First ponía —
Third ponía ponían

¿Y qué ponían?

And what did they say?

— Amarcord (1973)

La madre dice que le ponían pañales en la cara cuando era un bebé.

The mother says they used to put diapers on his face when he was a baby.

— Systemsprenger (2019)

Esperaba ansiosamente a la ambulancia mientras sus labios se ponían azules.

She waited anxiously for the ambulance as her lips turned blue.

Ponían trampas.

They set traps.

— Song Sung Blue: Sueño inquebrantable (2025)

Todos ponían algo y yo les daba copias de las fotos.

Everyone contributed something and I gave them copies of the photos.

— Ciudad de Dios (2002)

Con ese que le ponían acá duro, le daban duro.

With that thing they put here, they went at him hard.

— Y tu mamá también (2001)

¿No sabías que las tortugas ponían huevos?

Didn't you know that turtles lay eggs?

Todos ponían la mano.

Everyone put their hand up.

— Buenos Muchachos (1990)

Se ponían viejos y morían.

They grew old and died.

— El hombre de la tierra (2007)

Y todos los domingos ponían una película en hindi.

And every Sunday they would show a Hindi movie.

— Vida solo hay una (2011)