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se estaban

they were ...ing

→ se
phrase Uncommon #23,870
they were ...ing Used before a gerund with a reflexive or reciprocal verb; the action may be done to themselves or to one another.
SP: Se estaban preparando para salir.
EN: They were getting ready to leave.

Insisto en que mis papás se estaban divorciando.

I insist that my parents were getting divorced.

— Familia (2023)

Se estaban riendo de mí.

They were laughing at me.

Dos hombres se estaban peleando en la calle.

Two men were fighting in the street.

Se estaban poniendo agresivos.

They were becoming aggressive.

— Queen (2014)

Ellos se estaban criticando el uno al otro.

They were criticizing each other.

Sí, los miré cuando se estaban yendo.

Yes, I looked at them when they were leaving.

Los pájaros se estaban comiendo sus pensamientos y recuerdos.

The birds were eating his thoughts and memories.

Se estaban riendo.

They were laughing.

— Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Ellas se estaban divirtiendo.

They were having fun.

Se estaban quemando las yemas de los dedos con lejía.

The tips of their fingers were getting burned by bleach.

— El Club de la Pelea (1999)

Todo el tiempo se estaban disparando.

They were shooting at each other all the time.

— Buenos Muchachos (1990)

Se estaban yendo, cuando nos oyeron.

They were leaving when they heard us.

Se estaban riendo a carcajadas.

They were laughing their heads off.

La fuerzas americanas se estaban retirando.

The American forces were withdrawing.

Se estaban peleando en la calle.

They were fighting in the street.

No sabía que Tom y Mary se estaban muriendo.

I didn't know Tom and Mary were dying.