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A cat is on a chair, illustrating the use of 'estar' for location.

estar Present Conjugation

estarto be

A1highly irregular -ar★★★★★
Quick answer:

The present tense of estar is irregular in the 'yo' form (estoy) and requires accents on most other forms (estás, está, están).

estar Present Forms

yoestoy
estás
él/ella/ustedestá
nosotrosestamos
vosotrosestáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesestán

When to Use the Present

Use the present to describe current locations, temporary states, moods, or to form the present progressive (estoy comiendo).

Notes on estar in the Present

The 'yo' form ends in -oy. Additionally, unlike regular -ar verbs, estar requires an accent on the last syllable for tú, él/ella, and ellos/ellas.

Example Sentences

  • Estoy muy cansado hoy.

    I am very tired today.

    yo

  • ¿Dónde estás ahora?

    Where are you now?

  • Estamos en el supermercado.

    We are at the supermarket.

    nosotros

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: esta

    Correct: está

    Why: Without the accent, 'esta' means 'this' (feminine). The accent is crucial to show it is a verb.

  • Mistake: esto

    Correct: estoy

    Why: Learners assume the -o ending for 'yo', but estar uses the irregular -oy ending.

Master Spanish verbs in context

Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'estar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.

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