
estar Affirmative Imperative Conjugation
estar — to be
The imperative of estar is used to tell someone to 'be' in a certain state: está, esté, estemos, estad, estén.
estar Affirmative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Affirmative Imperative
Use commands with estar to tell someone to stay put or to be in a certain mood (e.g., 'Be quiet' or 'Stay here').
Notes on estar in the Affirmative Imperative
The 'tú' form (está) has an accent, which is different from regular -ar verbs (like 'habla').
Example Sentences
Está quieto un momento.
Be still for a moment.
tú
Esté atento a las noticias.
Stay (formal) tuned to the news.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: esta
Correct: está
Why: The command for 'tú' requires an accent to distinguish it from the demonstrative 'esta' (this).
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: estoy
The present tense of estar is irregular in the 'yo' form (estoy) and requires accents on most other forms (estás, está, están).
Preterite
yo: estuve
The preterite of estar uses an irregular 'estuv-' stem: estuve, estuviste, estuvo, estuvimos, estuvisteis, estuvieron.
Imperfect
yo: estaba
Estar is regular in the imperfect: estaba, estabas, estaba, estábamos, estabais, estaban.
Future
yo: estaré
Estar is regular in the future tense: estaré, estarás, estará, estaremos, estaréis, estarán.
Conditional
yo: estaría
Estar is regular in the conditional: estaría, estarías, estaría, estaríamos, estaríais, estarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: esté
The present subjunctive of estar is irregular and all forms except 'nosotros' have accents: esté, estés, esté, estemos, estéis, estén.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: estuviera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'estuv-' stem: estuviera, estuvieras, estuviera, estuviéramos, estuvierais, estuvieran.
Negative Imperative
yo: no estés
Negative commands for estar use the present subjunctive: no estés, no esté, no estemos, no estéis, no estén.