Were Meaning in English
word · lemma: be
/ˈwɝ/
wur
/wˈɜː/
wur
Definition
The past tense of 'be' used with you, we, they, and plural nouns. It indicates a state or condition in the past.
Usage & Nuances
Used only in past simple tense for plural subjects and 'you'. Not used with singular subjects he, she, or it—those use 'was'. Common in questions and conditionals ('If I were you'). Formal and informal contexts.
Spanish: eran - estabanPortuguese (BR): eram - estavamPortuguese (PT): eram - estavamChinese (Simplified): 是 - 有Chinese (Traditional): 是 - 有Hindi: थेArabic: كانواBengali: ছিলেন - ছিলে - ছিলাম - ছিলRussian: былиJapanese: だった - いました - いました（いる・いることがあった場合）Vietnamese: đã là - đã ở - đã (dùng cho chủ ngữ số nhiều hoặc 'bạn')Korean: 이었다 - 있었다 - 였다Turkish: -di/-dı/-du/-dü (çoğul veya 'sen' ile) - bulunuyorduUrdu: تھے - تھیں - تھا (جمع یا 'آپ' کے لیے)Indonesian: adalah - berada - pernah (untuk subjek jamak dan 'kamu')
Example Sentences
You were very kind yesterday.
basic
They were at the park this morning.
basic
We were happy with the results.
basic
If I were you, I would take the job.
natural
You were joking, right? I didn’t believe you!
natural
They were having dinner when I called.
natural