This is the 10391st most frequent Portuguese word.
existiam
"Existiam" means "they existed."
In this sentence, 'existiam' is used to describe options or items that were present or available in the past, focusing on their existence during a specific historical period.
Antes do século XX, existiam poucas opções de transporte.
Before the 20th century, few transportation options existed.
Here, 'existiam' is employed to indicate the past existence of various species in a particular location, emphasizing their presence historically.
Na floresta, existiam várias espécies de plantas únicas.
In the forest, there existed various species of unique plants.
This usage of 'existiam' refers to the opportunities that were present or available during someone's past experiences, specifically marking their historical prevalence.