están
/es-TAHN/
they are
Here, 'están' tells us where people or things are. It points to their location.
están(Verb)
they are
?referring to a location
you all are
?formal or plural 'you' in a location
📝 In Action
Mis amigos están en el cine.
A1My friends are at the movie theater.
¿Dónde están mis llaves? No las encuentro.
A1Where are my keys? I can't find them.
Señores, ustedes están en la lista.
A2Gentlemen, you all are on the list.
💡 Grammar Points
Estar for Location
In Spanish, you always use the verb 'estar' to talk about where someone or something is. This is true for both temporary and permanent locations.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Son' for Location
Mistake: "Mis padres son en México."
Correction: Mis padres están en México. For location, always use 'estar', never 'ser' (like 'son').
⭐ Usage Tips
A Simple Rhyme
A helpful rhyme for beginners is: 'How you feel and where you are, that is when you use estar.'
'Están' also describes how people or things are at the moment, like their feelings, health, or a temporary state.
están(Verb)
they are
?describing a feeling or condition
you all are
?formal or plural 'you' feeling a certain way
📝 In Action
Los niños están cansados después del partido.
A1The children are tired after the game.
Las tiendas están cerradas hoy.
A1The shops are closed today.
Estamos en otoño, así que las hojas están amarillas.
A2It's autumn, so the leaves are yellow.
💡 Grammar Points
Estar for Conditions & Feelings
Use 'estar' to talk about how something is at a particular moment. This includes emotions, physical health, and other changeable states.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Son' for Temporary Feelings
Mistake: "Ellos son tristes hoy."
Correction: Ellos están tristes hoy. 'Ser' ('son') describes a core characteristic, while 'estar' ('están') describes a temporary feeling.
⭐ Usage Tips
Think 'State', Not 'Trait'
If you're describing a temporary state (how they are now), use 'estar'. If you're describing a permanent trait (what they are like), you'll use the other 'to be' verb, 'ser'.
When you pair 'están' with a verb ending in '-ando' or '-iendo', it means 'they are ...-ing'. It describes an action happening right now.
están(Verb)
they are (-ing)
?action in progress
you all are (-ing)
?formal or plural 'you' doing an action
📝 In Action
Mis hermanos están viendo una película.
A2My brothers are watching a movie.
Los chefs están preparando la cena.
A2The chefs are preparing dinner.
¿Qué están haciendo ustedes?
A2What are you all doing?
💡 Grammar Points
Action in Progress
To say something is happening right now, combine a form of 'estar' (like 'están') with another verb that ends in '-ando' or '-iendo'. This is the Spanish way of saying '-ing'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the '-ando/-iendo' Verb
Mistake: "Ellos están come pizza."
Correction: Ellos están comiendo pizza. You need to change the second verb to its '-ing' form.
⭐ Usage Tips
Emphasizing 'Right Now'
While 'Ellos comen pizza' means 'They eat pizza', 'Ellos están comiendo pizza' strongly implies they are doing it at this very moment. It's more immediate.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: están
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'están' to talk about a location?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'están' have an accent mark?
The accent on 'están' (and 'está', 'estás') is crucial! It tells you where to put the stress when you say the word. It also helps distinguish it from words that look similar but mean different things, like 'esta' which means 'this'.
What's the simplest way to remember when to use 'están' instead of 'son' (from the verb 'ser')?
A great starting point is this little rhyme: 'How you feel and where you are, that is when you use estar.' So, for feelings ('están felices' - they are happy) and location ('están en casa' - they are at home), 'están' is your go-to. For more permanent things like jobs or personality, you'll use 'son'.