estoy
“estoy” means “I am” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
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I am
📝 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.
I am
📝 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.
I am (-ing)
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📝 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.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "estoy" in Spanish:
i am→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: estoy
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly says 'I am a tall person'?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'stō', which means 'I stand'. Over time, its meaning expanded from just standing in a place to being in a place or a certain state.
First recorded: Evolved from Vulgar Latin, present in Old Spanish texts.
Cognates (Related words)
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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!).