estorbar Present Conjugation
estorbar — to be in the way
Use estorbo, estorbas, estorba, estorbamos, estorbáis, estorban for current or habitual blocking.
estorbar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
The present tense is for actions happening right now or things that happen regularly. You might say, 'Siempre estorbas cuando intento concentrarme' (You always get in the way when I try to concentrate) or 'El mueble estorba en el pasillo' (The furniture is in the way in the hallway).
Notes on estorbar in the Present
Estorbar is a regular -ar verb in the present indicative. It conjugates by removing -ar and adding -o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
Example Sentences
Yo estorbo si me quedo aquí.
I get in the way if I stay here.
yo
¿Tú estorbas mucho a tu hermano?
Do you get in your brother's way much?
tú
Esa silla estorba la puerta.
That chair is blocking the door.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros estorbamos si no nos movemos.
We are in the way if we don't move.
nosotros
Ellos estorban la vista desde esta ventana.
They block the view from this window.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative 'estorbas' when the subjunctive is needed (e.g., after 'espero que').
Correct: Use the present subjunctive form 'estorbes' after expressions of hope, doubt, or desire (e.g., 'Espero que no estorbes').
Why: Certain phrases trigger the subjunctive mood, which expresses uncertainty or emotion.
Mistake: Confusing the nosotros form 'estorbamos' with the preterite.
Correct: Context usually clarifies whether 'estorbamos' refers to a habitual action (present) or a completed one (preterite).
Why: The 'nosotros' form is identical in both present and preterite for regular -ar verbs.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: estorbé
Use estorbé, estorbaste, estorbó, estorbamos, estorbasteis, estorbaron for completed actions of blocking.
Imperfect
yo: estorbaba
Use estorbaba, estorbabas, estorbaba, estorbábamos, estorbabais, estorbaban for ongoing or habitual past blocking.
Future
yo: estorbaré
Use estorbaré, estorbarás, estorbará, estorbaremos, estorbaréis, estorbarán for future blocking.
Conditional
yo: estorbaría
Use estorbaría, estorbarías, estorbaría, estorbaríamos, estorbaríais, estorbarían for hypothetical blocking.
Present Subjunctive
yo: estorbe
Use estorbe, estorbemos, estorben after wishes, doubts, or impersonal expressions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: estorbara
Use estorbara/estorara or estorbarais/estorbarais for hypothetical past situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: estorba
Use estorba, estorbe, estorbemos, estorbad, estorben for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no estorbes
Use no estorbes, no estorbe, no estorbemos, no estorbéis, no estorben for negative commands.