estoy
/es-TOY/
Just like this person is in a specific place, 'estoy' tells someone where you are located.
estoy (Verb)
📝 In Action
Estoy en la biblioteca.
A1I am in the library.
¿Dónde estás? Estoy aquí, en la cocina.
A1Where are you? I am here, in the kitchen.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
💡 Grammar Points
Estar for Location
Use 'estar' (and forms like 'estoy') to talk about where people or things are located, whether it's for a moment or forever. A helpful rhyme is: 'How you feel and where you are, always use the verb estar'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' for Location
Mistake: "Soy en el parque."
Correction: Estoy en el parque. When you're talking about a location, you almost always need to use 'estar', not 'ser'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Location is Always 'Estar'
Even for things that don't move, like buildings or cities, you still use 'estar' to describe their location. For example, 'La torre Eiffel está en París.'
'Estoy' also describes how you are feeling right now, like being happy, sad, or tired.
estoy (Verb)
📝 In Action
Estoy muy feliz hoy.
A1I am very happy today.
Gracias, estoy bien.
A1Thank you, I am well.
Creo que estoy un poco enfermo.
A2I think I am a little sick.
💡 Grammar Points
Estar for States & Feelings
Use 'estar' to talk about temporary conditions, moods, and feelings. These are things that can change, like being happy, sad, sick, or tired.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' for Feelings
Mistake: "Soy cansado."
Correction: Estoy cansado. 'Ser' is for more permanent traits (like 'soy alto' - I am tall), while 'estar' is for temporary states (like being tired right now).
⭐ Usage Tips
Matching Your Adjectives
The word describing how you feel must match your gender. A man says 'estoy cansado', but a woman says 'estoy cansada'.
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When you're in the middle of an action, you use 'estoy' plus a verb ending in -ando or -iendo.
estoy (Verb)
📝 In Action
Estoy leyendo un libro.
A2I am reading a book.
Por favor, espera un momento, estoy terminando.
A2Please, wait a moment, I am finishing.
¿Qué estás haciendo? Estoy cocinando.
A1What are you doing? I am cooking.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Doing Something Right Now' Tense
To say you are doing something right now, combine 'estoy' with another verb. For verbs ending in -ar, add -ando (hablar -> hablando). For verbs ending in -er or -ir, add -iendo (comer -> comiendo).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Overusing for Habits
Mistake: "Siempre estoy corriendo por la mañana."
Correction: Siempre corro por la mañana. Use the 'estoy + -ing' form for actions happening *right now*, not for general habits. For habits, the simple form ('corro') is better.
⭐ Usage Tips
Just like English '-ing'
Think of 'estoy comiendo' as the direct equivalent of saying 'I am eating' in English. It emphasizes that the action is currently in progress.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estoy
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly says 'I am a tall person'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'estoy' and 'soy'?
They both mean 'I am', but they are used for different things. Use 'soy' for permanent things that define who you are (I am a doctor, I am tall, I am from Spain). Use 'estoy' for temporary things, like your location (I am at home) or your feeling (I am happy).
Why does 'estoy' come from 'estar'?
'Estar' is the base form of the verb, like 'to be' in English. Just like 'to be' changes to 'am', 'is', and 'are', 'estar' changes depending on who is doing the action. 'Estoy' is the special form used only for 'I' (yo).
Can I just say 'estoy' by itself?
Not usually. It needs more information to make sense, like where you are ('Estoy aquí') or how you feel ('Estoy bien'). The only time you might hear it alone is as a quick, informal answer to a question like '¿Quién está en casa?' (Who is at home?), where you might just reply '¡Estoy!' (I am!).