estable
“estable” means “stable” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
stable, steady
Also: firm
📝 In Action
Asegúrate de que la escalera esté estable antes de subir.
A2Make sure the ladder is stable before climbing.
El trípode mantuvo la cámara perfectamente estable.
B1The tripod kept the camera perfectly steady.
stable, reliable
Also: steady, secure
📝 In Action
Necesito un trabajo estable con buen salario.
B1I need a stable job with a good salary.
Su estado de ánimo se mantuvo estable a pesar de los problemas.
B2Her mood remained stable despite the problems.
El país tiene una economía más estable que antes.
C1The country has a more stable economy than before.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: estable
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'estable' to describe a secure, lasting situation?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *stabilis*, meaning 'standing firm,' 'firm,' or 'lasting.' It entered Spanish early and has kept its core meaning of permanence and resistance to change.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'estable' change for masculine and feminine nouns?
No. Because 'estable' ends in the vowel -e, it is the same for both genders. You use 'estable' for masculine nouns (el trabajo estable) and feminine nouns (la situación estable). You only change it for plurals (estables).
Is 'estable' used for people?
Yes, but usually in a psychological or medical sense. For example, 'El paciente está estable' (The patient is stable/out of immediate danger), or 'Ella tiene un carácter muy estable' (She has a very steady character).