estaven

In a sentence

• Els estudiants estaven a la biblioteca estudiant per a l'examen.

  The students were at the library studying for the exam.

  Here, "estaven" is used as the imperfect form of 'estar,' indicating a past action in progress (the students being at the library).

• Quan vaig entrar, els gossos estaven dormint tranquil·lament.

  When I entered, the dogs were sleeping peacefully.

  Here, "estaven" is part of a past continuous structure, describing an ongoing action in the past ('estar' + Gerund).

• Els nens estaven emocionats per la festa que es preparava.

  The children were excited for the party being prepared.

  Here, "estaven" describes the state of the children in the past, using 'estar' to denote a temporary state or condition.