Introduction
If you have worked through estaba (I was), estabas (you were), estaba (he/she/it was), and estábamos (we were), the next form is estabais — and it lets you describe temporary states, conditions, and locations for groups in Spain, where vosotros is used. Estabais means you all were, and like the other imperfect estar forms, it focuses on temporary, changeable states rather than permanent traits or completed actions.
While erais (imperfect of ser) describes ongoing characteristics or identities for vosotros, estabais (imperfect of estar) is for temporary states, feelings, or locations that continued over time for the group you are addressing in Spain. Think of estabais as describing how you all felt, where you all were, or how you all were during a period, not who you all permanently were.
No long grammar tables. Just 15 real sentences, each with a simple explanation of why estabais is the right word.
Quick Reminder: Ser vs Estar in the Imperfect for Vosotros
Use estabais (imperfect of estar, vosotros form) for:
- Shared temporary emotional states — how the group felt over a period
- Collective physical conditions — temporary states of being for the group
- Group location — where the group was during a period
- Ongoing group actions — what the group was doing (with present participle)
Use erais (imperfect of ser) for permanent traits, identities, or descriptions of the group. Estabais is for the temporary, the changeable, the situational. Note: This form is primarily used in Spain where vosotros is the standard form for addressing groups.
The 15 Examples
Example 1
Estabais muy cansados después del partido.
You all were very tired after the game.
Why estabais? Tiredness is a temporary state. Estabais describes how your group felt over a period, not a permanent characteristic.
Example 2
Estabais en casa cuando empezó la tormenta.
You all were at home when the storm started.
Why estabais? This describes your group's location at a specific time. Estabais is the natural choice for talking about where your group was in the past in Spain.
Example 3
Estabais enfermos la semana pasada.
You all were sick last week.
Why estabais? Being sick is a temporary condition. Estabais captures that your group was in that state for a period, but it passed.
Example 4
Estabais muy felices con el resultado.
You all were very happy with the result.
Why estabais? Happiness here is a temporary emotional state. Estabais describes that feeling your group shared over a period.
Example 5
Estabais en el parque comiendo helado.
You all were in the park eating ice cream.
Why estabais? This describes both your group's location and what you all were doing. Estabais + present participle is perfect for ongoing group actions in the past.
Example 6
Estabais preocupados por el examen.
You all were worried about the exam.
Why estabais? Worry is a temporary emotional state. Estabais describes how your group felt together during that specific period.
Example 7
Estabais en la reunión hasta las 7.
You all were in the meeting until 7.
Why estabais? This describes your group's presence at a location for a defined period. Estabais is perfect for these time-bound group location descriptions.
Example 8
Estabais muy ocupados con el proyecto.
You all were very busy with the project.
Why estabais? Being busy is a temporary state. Estabais captures that your group was in that condition together for a specific period.
Example 9
Estabais deprimidos después de la derrota.
You all were depressed after the defeat.
Why estabais? Emotional states like depression in this context are temporary reactions to events. Estabais describes that shared period of feeling.
Example 10
Estabais en Madrid por turismo.
You all were in Madrid for tourism.
Why estabais? This describes your group's location for a specific purpose and period. Estabais is the natural choice for past group locations in Spain.
Example 11
Estabais muy sorprendidos con el resultado.
You all were very surprised by the result.
Why estabais? Surprise is a temporary emotional reaction. Estabais captures that shared moment of being surprised.
Example 12
Estabais en el cine viendo una película.
You all were at the cinema watching a movie.
Why estabais? This describes both your group's location and what you all were doing. Estabais works perfectly for these combined descriptions.
Example 13
Estabais muy nerviosos antes de la presentación.
You all were very nervous before the presentation.
Why estabais? Nervousness in this context is a temporary state leading up to an event. Estabais describes that shared feeling.
Example 14
Estabais en el hospital visitando a vuestro amigo.
You all were at the hospital visiting your friend.
Why estabais? This describes both location and purpose. Estabais captures both aspects perfectly for your group.
Example 15
Estabais de acuerdo con la decisión.
You all were in agreement with the decision.
Why estabais? Being in agreement is a temporary stance on a specific issue. Estabais describes that shared position at that moment.
The Pattern to Remember
Looking across all 15 examples, you will notice estabais covers four main situations for vosotros:
- Shared temporary emotional states — tired, happy, worried, depressed, surprised, nervous
- Collective physical conditions — sick, busy
- Group locations — at home, in the park, in the meeting, in Madrid, at the cinema, at the hospital
- Ongoing group actions — eating ice cream, watching a movie, visiting your friend
All share the same characteristic: they are temporary, changeable states or conditions experienced by your group. If you can ask "How were you all feeling?" or "Where were you all?" then estabais is likely the right choice.
Ser vs Estar in the Imperfect for Vosotros: The Simple Rule
Think of it this way for your group in Spain:
- Erais (imperfect of ser) = Who you all were → Erais un gran equipo (You all were a great team - identity/characteristic)
- Estabais (imperfect of estar) = How you all were/where you all were → Estabais cansados (You all were tired - temporary condition) / Estabais en casa (You all were at home - location)
For most beginning learners, this distinction covers the majority of cases. When in doubt, ask: Is this a permanent trait or identity of your group (ser) or a temporary state/location (estar)?
Regional Note
Remember that estabais is used primarily in Spain where vosotros is the standard form for addressing groups. In most of Latin America, you would use estaban with ustedes instead (e.g., Ustedes estaban muy cansados).
If you are learning Spanish for use in Spain, estabais is essential. If you are focusing on Latin American Spanish, you can prioritize estaban with ustedes.
What Comes Next
Now that estabais feels natural, the final step is estaban — they were or you all were. It follows exactly the same logic, and with estaban you can talk about any group in the past.
After that, you will have the complete imperfect of estar: estaba, estabas, estaba, estábamos, estabais, estaban.
One form at a time. That is how it sticks.