estuviste
eh-stoo-VEE-steh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
¿Dónde estuviste ayer por la tarde?
A1Where were you yesterday afternoon?
Estuviste muy callado durante la cena.
A2You were very quiet during dinner.
El viaje fue genial. Estuviste en la playa por horas.
A2The trip was great. You were at the beach for hours.
💡 Grammar Points
Irregular Past Tense
This verb form is highly irregular. Notice the base changes from 'est-' to 'estuv-' when talking about the past.
The Function of Estar (Location and State)
Remember to use 'estar' (and thus 'estuviste') for where you were or how you were feeling at a specific point in the past. It's temporary!
Simple Past (Preterite)
The simple past tense (Preterite) is used here because the action—being somewhere or feeling a certain way—was a completed event with a clear end.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Ser and Estar
Mistake: "Using 'fuiste' (from 'ser') instead of 'estuviste' for location: 'Fuiste en la casa.'"
Correction: Use 'estuviste' for location: 'Estuviste en la casa.' ('Fuiste' means 'You were' in terms of identity, or 'You went'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Tú Form Check
This word is exclusively used when speaking informally to one person (the 'tú' form). If you are speaking formally, you must use 'estuvo' (usted form).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estuviste
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'estuviste' to talk about a temporary state?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'estuviste' and 'fuiste'?
'Estuviste' is the past tense of 'estar,' used for location ('You were at the park') or temporary condition ('You were tired'). 'Fuiste' is the past tense of both 'ser' (used for identity: 'You were a doctor') and 'ir' (used for movement: 'You went to the store').
Is 'estuviste' formal or informal?
It is informal because it uses the 'tú' form. If you need to be formal or address someone you respect, you must use 'estuvo' (the 'usted' form).