Introduction

If you have worked through estaba (I was), estabas (you were), and estaba (he/she/it was), the next form is estábamos — and it lets you describe temporary states, conditions, and locations for your group in the past. Estábamos means we were, and like the other imperfect estar forms, it focuses on temporary, changeable states rather than permanent traits or completed actions.

While éramos (imperfect of ser) describes ongoing characteristics or identities for nosotros, estábamos (imperfect of estar) is for temporary states, feelings, or locations that continued over time for your group. Think of estábamos as describing how we felt, where we were, or how we were during a period, not who we permanently were.

No long grammar tables. Just 15 real sentences, each with a simple explanation of why estábamos is the right word.

Quick Reminder: Ser vs Estar in the Imperfect for Nosotros

Use estábamos (imperfect of estar, nosotros 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 éramos (imperfect of ser) for permanent traits, identities, or descriptions of the group. Estábamos is for the temporary, the changeable, the situational.

The 15 Examples

Example 1

Estábamos muy cansados después del viaje.
We were very tired after the trip.

Why estábamos? Tiredness is a temporary state. Estábamos describes how our group felt over a period, not a permanent characteristic.

Example 2

Estábamos en casa cuando empezó a llover.
We were at home when it started to rain.

Why estábamos? This describes our group's location at a specific time. Estábamos is the natural choice for talking about where our group was in the past.

Example 3

Estábamos enfermos la semana pasada.
We were sick last week.

Why estábamos? Being sick is a temporary condition. Estábamos captures that our group was in that state for a period, but it passed.

Example 4

Estábamos muy felices con la noticia.
We were very happy with the news.

Why estábamos? Happiness here is a temporary emotional state. Estábamos describes that feeling our group shared over a period.

Example 5

Estábamos en el parque comiendo helado.
We were in the park eating ice cream.

Why estábamos? This describes both our group's location and what we were doing. Estábamos + present participle is perfect for ongoing group actions in the past.

Example 6

Estábamos preocupados por el resultado.
We were worried about the result.

Why estábamos? Worry is a temporary emotional state. Estábamos describes how our group felt together during that specific period.

Example 7

Estábamos en la reunión hasta las 6.
We were in the meeting until 6.

Why estábamos? This describes our group's presence at a location for a defined period. Estábamos is perfect for these time-bound group location descriptions.

Example 8

Estábamos muy ocupados con el proyecto.
We were very busy with the project.

Why estábamos? Being busy is a temporary state. Estábamos captures that our group was in that condition together for a specific period.

Example 9

Estábamos deprimidos después de la derrota.
We were depressed after the defeat.

Why estábamos? Emotional states like depression in this context are temporary reactions to events. Estábamos describes that shared period of feeling.

Example 10

Estábamos en Madrid por turismo.
We were in Madrid for tourism.

Why estábamos? This describes our group's location for a specific purpose and period. Estábamos is the natural choice for past group locations.

Example 11

Estábamos muy sorprendidos con el resultado.
We were very surprised by the result.

Why estábamos? Surprise is a temporary emotional reaction. Estábamos captures that shared moment of being surprised.

Example 12

Estábamos en el cine viendo una película.
We were at the cinema watching a movie.

Why estábamos? This describes both our group's location and what we were doing. Estábamos works perfectly for these combined descriptions.

Example 13

Estábamos muy nerviosos antes de la presentación.
We were very nervous before the presentation.

Why estábamos? Nervousness in this context is a temporary state leading up to an event. Estábamos describes that shared feeling.

Example 14

Estábamos en el hospital visitando a nuestro amigo.
We were at the hospital visiting our friend.

Why estábamos? This describes both location and purpose. Estábamos captures both aspects perfectly for our group.

Example 15

Estábamos de acuerdo con la decisión.
We were in agreement with the decision.

Why estábamos? Being in agreement is a temporary stance on a specific issue. Estábamos describes that shared position at that moment.

The Pattern to Remember

Looking across all 15 examples, you will notice estábamos covers four main situations for nosotros:

  • 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 our friend

All share the same characteristic: they are temporary, changeable states or conditions experienced by our group. If you can ask "How were we feeling?" or "Where were we?" then estábamos is likely the right choice.

Ser vs Estar in the Imperfect for Nosotros: The Simple Rule

Think of it this way for your group:

  • Éramos (imperfect of ser) = Who we were → Éramos un gran equipo (We were a great team - identity/characteristic)
  • Estábamos (imperfect of estar) = How we were/where we were → Estábamos cansados (We were tired - temporary condition) / Estábamos en casa (We 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 our group (ser) or a temporary state/location (estar)?

What Comes Next

Now that estábamos feels natural, the next step is estabais — you all were (in Spain). It follows exactly the same logic, but for the second person plural (vosotros).

After that: estaban (they/you all were).

One form at a time. That is how it sticks.