ellos eran

they were

ellos eran(eh-yohs eh-rahn)

phrase

1. (used to talk about identity or characteristics; third person plural)

a. they were

Los padres de Javier murieron hace dos años en un accidente. Ellos eran maestros, como yo.

Javier's parents died in an accident two years ago. They were teachers, like me.

2. (used to talk about age; third person plural)

a. they were

Recuerdo que ellos eran más jóvenes que yo, así que ahora deben de andar por los cuarenta.

I remember they were younger than me, so they must be about forty now.

3. (used to talk about origin; third person plural; used with "de")

a. they were from

¿De dónde eran tus bisabuelos? - Ellos eran de Ucrania.

Where were your great-grandparents from? - They were from the Ukraine.