A colorful, stylized storybook illustration depicting three distinct, puzzle-piece like land shapes, each colored differently (such as red, blue, and yellow) and clearly bordered, symbolizing political states or territorial divisions.

estados

es-TAH-dos

NounmA2

states?political/territorial divisions,conditions?physical or emotional states

Also:statuses?current condition or standing,moods?emotional states (estados de ánimo)

📝 In Action

Viajé por tres estados diferentes el mes pasado.

I traveled through three different states last month.

Los estados del agua son sólido, líquido y gaseoso.

The states of water are solid, liquid, and gas.

Revisé los estados financieros de la empresa.

I reviewed the company's financial statements.

Sus cambios de estados de ánimo son muy repentinos.

His changes in mood are very sudden.

Word Connections

Synonyms

países (countries)
condiciones (conditions)

Common Collocations

Estados Unidos – United States
estados de ánimo – moods / emotional states
estados financieros – financial statements

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

This form 'estados' is the plural of 'estado'. It refers to multiple political regions or multiple conditions. To talk about just one, use 'estado'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'estados' as a Verb

Mistake: "Using 'estados' instead of 'estás' (you are) or 'están' (they are)."

Correction: 'Estados' is only a noun. Use 'estás' when talking to one friend, or 'están' when talking about a group of people: '¿Cómo están?' (How are they?).

⭐ Usage Tips

The Big Country

When talking about the country 'The United States,' you must always use the plural form 'Los Estados Unidos.' It is often abbreviated in writing as 'EE. UU.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: estados

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'estados' to mean 'moods'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

estado(state, condition (singular)) - noun

estar(to be (temporary state)) - verb

estatal(state-run, governmental) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'estados' related to the verb 'estar'?

Yes, it is! Both words share the same core Latin root meaning 'standing' or 'condition.' The noun 'estados' refers to conditions or political regions, and the verb 'estar' is used for temporary states of being or locations.

When should I capitalize 'Estados'?

You should capitalize it when it forms part of a proper name, most commonly in 'Los Estados Unidos' (The United States) or when referring to a specific government entity.