está
/es-TAH/
Just like a pin on a map, 'está' tells you where someone or something is located.
está (Verb)
📝 In Action
El baño está a la derecha.
A1The bathroom is on the right.
¿Dónde está mi teléfono?
A1Where is my phone?
Mis amigos están en el parque.
A1My friends are at the park.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
💡 Grammar Points
Use 'Estar' for Location
To say where anything is, you always use a form of 'estar', never 'ser'. This is true even if the location is permanent, like a city in a country.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' for Location
Mistake: "Madrid es en España."
Correction: Madrid está en España. Remember the rule: for location, always choose 'estar'!
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'PLACE' Rule
A helpful memory trick for when to use 'estar' is the acronym PLACE: Position, Location, Action, Condition, Emotion. This meaning covers the 'L' for Location.
'Está' describes how something is right now, like this coffee being hot. This condition can change!
está (Verb)
📝 In Action
Estoy feliz hoy.
A1I am happy today.
La sopa está muy caliente.
A1The soup is very hot.
La ventana está abierta.
A2The window is open.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
💡 Grammar Points
Use 'Estar' for States & Conditions
If you're describing something that can change—like a mood, a physical feeling, or the condition of an object (hot, cold, open, closed)—you need to use 'estar'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' for Feelings
Mistake: "Soy cansado."
Correction: Estoy cansado. Being tired is a temporary state, not a permanent part of who you are, so you use 'estar'.
⭐ Usage Tips
How you feel vs. How you are
Think of it this way: 'ser' is for what something is (permanent), while 'estar' is for how something is (temporary). The question '¿Cómo estás?' (How are you?) is answered with 'Estoy bien' (I'm well).
'Está' teams up with an action verb (like 'running') to talk about what is happening right now.
está (Verb)
📝 In Action
Él está leyendo un libro.
A2He is reading a book.
Estoy trabajando ahora mismo.
A2I am working right now.
Los niños están jugando afuera.
A2The children are playing outside.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Right Now' Tense
This is how you say something is happening right now. You combine a form of 'estar' (like está, estoy, etc.) with a main verb that ends in -ando or -iendo.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'estar'
Mistake: "Yo trabajando."
Correction: Yo estoy trabajando. In English, you need 'am' ('I am working'). In Spanish, you need 'estoy'. You can't leave it out!
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Right Now' Test
If you can add 'right now' to your English sentence and it still makes sense ('She is reading a book right now'), you almost always use this 'estar' + '-ando/-iendo' form in Spanish.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: está
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is correct to say 'The apple is green' when you mean it's not ripe yet?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'está' and 'esta' (without the accent)?
The accent mark is super important! 'Está' (with the accent) is the verb 'is/are' from 'estar'. 'Esta' (no accent) means 'this' and is used to point out a feminine thing, like 'esta casa' (this house).
When do I use 'está' and when do I use 'es'?
This is the big question in Spanish! A simple rule is: use 'está' for how things are (temporary conditions, locations, feelings) and use 'es' for what things are (permanent traits, identity, job, origin). For example, 'Estoy aburrido' (I am bored right now), but 'Soy aburrido' (I am a boring person).