ellos tuvieron

they had

ellos tuvieron

phrase

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

a. they had

Ellos tuvieron mucho dinero, pero lo perdieron todo en la crisis.

They had a lot of money, but they lost it all during the crisis.

2. (used to indicate age; third person plural)

a. they were

Tus abuelos saben muy bien lo que es sentirse joven y rebelde. Ellos tuvieron dieciséis también.

Your grandparents know very well what it is to feel young and restless. They were sixteen once too.

3. (used to talk about sensations; third person plural)

a. they were

Fuiste a acampar con Mike y Lois la semana pasada, ¿no? ¿Qué tal? - Bueno, ellos tuvieron frío la primera noche así que durmieron en el carro. Aparte de eso, bien.

You went camping with Mike and Lois last week, right? How was it? - Well, they were cold the first night, so, they slept in the car. Other than that, it was good.

4. (used to talk about a medical condition; third person plural)

a. they had

Nuestros hijos tuvieron papera cuando eran niños, ¿no? - Sí. Ellos tuvieron varicela también.

Our kids had mumps when they were young, right? - Yes. They had chickenpox as well.