This is the 10666th most frequent Spanish word.
debíamos
"Debíamos" means "we had to" or "we were supposed to" in English.
This sentence uses "debíamos" to indicate an obligation or expectation in the past.
Debíamos estudiar para el examen.
We were supposed to study for the exam.
Here, "debíamos" conveys a rule or requirement in the past.
Cuando éramos niños, debíamos regresar a casa antes de las ocho.
When we were children, we had to return home before eight.
In this instance, "debíamos" emphasizes a responsibility or task designated in the past.