estar
/ehs-TAR/
to be
Just like this cat is on the chair, 'estar' tells you where people and things are located.
📝 In Action
El libro está en la mesa.
A1The book is on the table.
¿Dónde estás?
A1Where are you?
Estamos en el centro de Madrid.
A1We are in the center of Madrid.
💡 Grammar Points
Estar for Location (The 'Where' Verb)
Use 'estar' to talk about the location of people, places, and things. If you can ask 'Where is it?', you almost always need 'estar'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' for Location
Mistake: "Yo soy en la cocina."
Correction: Yo estoy en la cocina. For physical location, always use 'estar', never 'ser'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Remember 'PLACE'
A helpful memory trick for 'estar' is PLACE: Position, Location, Action, Condition, Emotion. All of these use 'estar'.
'Estar' describes how you feel or how things are right now, like being happy, tired, or sick. These are conditions that can change.
estar(Verb)
to be
?feelings, temporary conditions
to feel
?e.g., ¿Cómo estás?
,to look/seem
?e.g., Estás muy guapa hoy.
📝 In Action
Estoy muy cansado hoy.
A1I am very tired today.
La sopa está caliente.
A1The soup is hot.
Ella está enferma.
A1She is sick.
¡Estás muy elegante!
A2You look very elegant!
💡 Grammar Points
Estar for Conditions (The 'How' Verb)
Use 'estar' for temporary states, moods, and physical conditions. Think of things that can change, like being tired, happy, or sick.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' for Feelings
Mistake: "Soy cansado."
Correction: Estoy cansado. Being tired is a temporary state, so it uses 'estar'. 'Ser' is for more permanent qualities, like 'Soy alto' (I am tall).
⭐ Usage Tips
Changing Meanings
Some descriptions change meaning with 'ser' vs. 'estar'. 'Ser aburrido' means 'to be boring', but 'Estar aburrido' means 'to be bored'.
'Estar' plus a verb ending in -ando or -iendo describes an action that is happening right now, like 'is reading'.
📝 In Action
Estoy comiendo una manzana.
A2I am eating an apple.
¿Qué estás haciendo?
A2What are you doing?
Los niños están jugando en el parque.
A2The children are playing in the park.
Estábamos durmiendo cuando sonó el teléfono.
B1We were sleeping when the phone rang.
💡 Grammar Points
The Present Progressive
This structure, 'estar' + verb ending in -ando/-iendo, is how you say something 'is happening' right now. It's the equivalent of '-ing' in English.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Overusing the Progressive
Mistake: "Estoy estudiando español todos los días."
Correction: Estudio español todos los días. Unlike English, Spanish uses the simple present for habits. Use 'estoy estudiando' only if you are literally studying at this very moment.
⭐ Usage Tips
Action in Progress
Think of this as a camera zooming in on an action as it happens. If you want to say 'I work in an office' (a general fact), use 'Trabajo'. If you want to say 'I'm working right now, I can't talk', use 'Estoy trabajando'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly says 'The apple is green' meaning it's not ripe yet?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the #1 rule for choosing between 'ser' and 'estar'?
The simplest rule is: 'Ser' is for what something *is* (its identity, origin, permanent traits), and 'estar' is for how something *is* (its location, condition, feelings). Think of 'ser' as more permanent and 'estar' as more temporary.
Why is the 'yo' form 'estoy'? It seems so different!
It is! 'Estoy' is completely irregular. It comes from how the Latin word 'stō' (I stand) evolved. Many of the most common verbs in Spanish ('ser', 'ir', 'estar') have irregular forms you just have to memorize, but you'll use them so often they'll become second nature.
Can I use 'estar' for the location of events, like a party?
This is a tricky one! While it seems logical, the rule is to use 'ser' for the location of events. For example, 'La fiesta es en mi casa' (The party is at my house) and 'El concierto es en el estadio' (The concert is at the stadium). Use 'estar' for the location of people and physical objects.