This is the 11398th most frequent Spanish word.
estuvieran
"Estuvieran" is the third-person plural imperfect subjunctive form of "estar," meaning "they were" or "they might be" (depending on context).
This use of 'estuvieran' is the imperfect subjunctive form of 'estar', used to express a hypothetical or unreal situation.
Si ellos estuvieran aquí, todo sería diferente.
If they were here, everything would be different.
Here, 'estuvieran' is used in a subordinate clause after a verb of request, fulfilling the subjunctive mood requirement.
Me pidió que estuvieran presentes en la reunión.
He asked me that they be present at the meeting.
In this case, 'estuvieran' conveys a wish or desire using the imperfect subjunctive mood.