estés
es-TES
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Espero que estés bien.
A2I hope you are well.
No estés triste, por favor.
A2Don't be sad, please.
Me alegra que estés aquí con nosotros.
B1I'm happy that you are here with us.
Avísame cuando estés listo para salir.
B1Let me know when you are ready to leave.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Wishing and Doubting' Verb Form
In Spanish, you change the verb form when you're talking about things that aren't certain facts, like wishes, doubts, or emotions. 'Estés' is the form of 'estar' (to be) you use for this. Think of it as the 'what if' or 'I hope so' version.
Giving Negative Commands
To tell a friend not to be a certain way, you use 'estés'. For example, 'No estés triste' (Don't be sad) or 'No estés enojado' (Don't be angry).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'estás' instead of 'estés'
Mistake: "Espero que estás bien."
Correction: Espero que estés bien. After a phrase that expresses a wish like 'Espero que...' (I hope that...), the verb changes to show it's a hope, not a fact. The 'a' in 'estás' flips to an 'e' for 'estés'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Look for 'Trigger' Words
Words like 'espero que' (I hope that), 'quiero que' (I want that), 'me alegra que' (I'm happy that), and 'es importante que' (it's important that) are clues that you'll probably need 'estés' instead of 'estás'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estés
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly expresses 'I hope you're happy'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'estás' and 'estés'?
It's all about fact vs. feeling. Use 'estás' (with an 'a') for facts and direct questions: 'Tú estás en casa' (You are at home). Use 'estés' (with an 'e') for non-facts like wishes, doubts, emotions, and negative commands: 'Espero que estés en casa' (I hope you're at home).
Why does 'estés' exist? English just uses 'you are' for everything.
That's a great observation! Spanish uses this special verb form (called the subjunctive) to add a layer of meaning. It signals to the listener that what's being said isn't a sure thing but rather a desire, a doubt, or a possibility. It feels strange at first, but it makes the language very expressive once you get used to it.