Inklingo

How to Say "you are" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “you are” is “estás” — use 'estás' to describe temporary states, feelings, conditions, or to ask about someone's current location (informal, singular 'you')..

estás🔊A1

Use 'estás' to describe temporary states, feelings, conditions, or to ask about someone's current location (informal, singular 'you').

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eres🔊A1

Use 'eres' to describe inherent qualities, identity, origin, or permanent characteristics (informal, singular 'you').

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tienes🔊A1

Use 'tienes' when referring to physical states like hunger, thirst, sleepiness, or being cold/hot (informal, singular 'you').

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esténA2

Use 'estén' in the subjunctive mood to express wishes, doubts, emotions, or commands directed at multiple people (plural 'you').

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tengan🔊A2

Use 'tengan' in the subjunctive mood for wishes or to describe states like age, hunger, or fear directed at multiple people (plural 'you').

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sois🔊A1

Use 'sois' to describe inherent qualities or identity for multiple people in an informal context (Spain, plural 'you').

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estáisA1

Use 'estáis' to describe temporary states, feelings, conditions, or to ask about someone's current location for multiple people (informal, plural 'you').

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tengáisA2

Use 'tengáis' in the subjunctive mood for wishes or to describe states like age, hunger, or fear directed at multiple people (plural 'you', Spain).

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tienen🔊A1

Use 'tienen' to express age, hunger, thirst, or being cold/hot for multiple people (plural 'you').

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encuentres🔊B1

Use 'encuentres' reflexively (te encuentres) in the subjunctive mood to refer to someone's state of health or location (informal, singular 'you').

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tenéisA1

Use 'tenéis' to express age, hunger, thirst, or being cold/hot for multiple people in an informal context (plural 'you', Spain).

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English → Spanish

estás

VerbA1Informal
Use 'estás' to describe temporary states, feelings, conditions, or to ask about someone's current location (informal, singular 'you').

Examples

¿Cómo estás hoy?

How are you today?

eres

/eh-res//ˈe.ɾes/

VerbA1Informal
Use 'eres' to describe inherent qualities, identity, origin, or permanent characteristics (informal, singular 'you').
A friendly person pointing directly at the viewer with a warm smile, indicating the concept of 'you'.

Examples

Tú eres mi amigo.

You are my friend.

Tú eres mi mejor amigo.

You are my best friend.

¿De dónde eres?

Where are you from?

Eres muy inteligente.

You are very smart.

When to Use 'Eres' (vs. 'Estás')

Use 'eres' for things that are part of someone's identity, like their personality, job, or where they're from. Example: 'Eres doctor' (You are a doctor). Use 'estás' for temporary states like feelings or locations. Example: 'Estás en el hospital' (You are in the hospital).

The Informal 'You'

'Eres' is the special form of 'you are' for talking to one person you know well, like a friend or family member. It's the partner of the word 'tú'.

Mixing up 'Eres' and 'Es'

Mistake: “When talking to a friend: '¿De dónde es?'”

Correction: Use '¿De dónde eres?'. Remember, 'eres' is for talking *to* your friend (tú). 'Es' is for talking *about* someone else ('he/she is') or for a more formal 'you' (usted).

tienes

/tyeh-ness//ˈtjenes/

VerbA1Informal
Use 'tienes' when referring to physical states like hunger, thirst, sleepiness, or being cold/hot (informal, singular 'you').
A person yawning widely with a hand over their mouth, showing they are sleepy.

Examples

Si tienes hambre, te preparo algo.

If you are hungry, I'll make you something.

Si tienes sed, aquí hay agua.

If you are thirsty, here is some water.

¿Tienes frío? Cierra la ventana.

Are you cold? Close the window.

Parece que tienes miedo de la oscuridad.

It seems like you are afraid of the dark.

Expressing Feelings with 'Tener'

Just like with age, Spanish uses 'tener' for many common physical feelings. Think of it as 'having' a sensation rather than 'being' it.

Using 'estar' for feelings

Mistake: “Estoy hambre.”

Correction: Always use 'tener' for this list of feelings: 'Tengo hambre.' You 'have' hunger.

estén

VerbA2Formal/Informal
Use 'estén' in the subjunctive mood to express wishes, doubts, emotions, or commands directed at multiple people (plural 'you').

Examples

Espero que estén bien.

I hope you (all) are well.

tengan

VerbA2Formal/Informal
Use 'tengan' in the subjunctive mood for wishes or to describe states like age, hunger, or fear directed at multiple people (plural 'you').

Examples

Espero que tengan un buen viaje.

I hope you (all) have a good trip.

sois

SOYSS (rhymes with voice)/ˈsojs/

VerbA1Informal (Spain)
Use 'sois' to describe inherent qualities or identity for multiple people in an informal context (Spain, plural 'you').
A high quality storybook illustration showing three smiling children standing closely together on a green hill under a blue sky, symbolizing the plural 'you'.

Examples

Vosotros sois mis mejores amigos.

You (all) are my best friends.

¡Qué suerte sois amigos!

How lucky you (all) are friends!

Sois de Madrid, ¿verdad?

You (all) are from Madrid, right?

Cuando sois mayores, podéis viajar por el mundo.

When you (all) are older, you can travel the world.

The 'You All' Form

'Sois' is the specific verb form used for 'vosotros,' which means 'you all' informally. It is almost exclusively heard in Spain and Equatorial Guinea.

Ser vs. Estar Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'sois' for temporary conditions (e.g., *Sois cansados*).”

Correction: Use 'estáis' (from the verb *estar*) for temporary states like 'tired' or 'hungry': 'Estáis cansados' (You are tired).

estáis

VerbA1Informal
Use 'estáis' to describe temporary states, feelings, conditions, or to ask about someone's current location for multiple people (informal, plural 'you').

Examples

¿Dónde estáis?

Where are you (all)?

tengáis

VerbA2Informal (Spain)
Use 'tengáis' in the subjunctive mood for wishes or to describe states like age, hunger, or fear directed at multiple people (plural 'you', Spain).

Examples

Espero que tengáis suerte.

I hope you (all) have luck.

tienes

/tyeh-ness//ˈtjenes/

VerbA1Informal
Use 'tienes' for age when asking or stating how old someone is (informal, singular 'you').
A person yawning widely with a hand over their mouth, showing they are sleepy.

Examples

Tienes veinte años.

You are twenty years old.

Si tienes sed, aquí hay agua.

If you are thirsty, here is some water.

¿Tienes frío? Cierra la ventana.

Are you cold? Close the window.

Parece que tienes miedo de la oscuridad.

It seems like you are afraid of the dark.

Expressing Feelings with 'Tener'

Just like with age, Spanish uses 'tener' for many common physical feelings. Think of it as 'having' a sensation rather than 'being' it.

Using 'estar' for feelings

Mistake: “Estoy hambre.”

Correction: Always use 'tener' for this list of feelings: 'Tengo hambre.' You 'have' hunger.

tienen

/tyeh-nen//ˈtje.nen/

VerbA1Formal/Informal
Use 'tienen' to express age, hunger, thirst, or being cold/hot for multiple people (plural 'you').
Three cartoon figures of slightly varying heights standing together under a rising sun symbolizing the years they possess.

Examples

Ellos tienen mucha sed.

They are very thirsty.

Mis hermanos tienen veinte y veintidós años.

My brothers are twenty and twenty-two years old.

Los gemelos tienen la misma edad.

The twins are the same age.

Los niños tienen hambre.

The children are hungry.

Using 'Ser' for Age

Mistake: “Ellos son 30 años.”

Correction: A classic mistake for English speakers! In Spanish, you 'have' years, you don't 'are' them. Always use 'tener' for age: 'Ellos tienen 30 años.'

Using 'Estar' for Sensations

Mistake: “Ellos están hambre.”

Correction: For common feelings like hunger, thirst, fear, or being hot/cold, Spanish uses 'tener'. Think of it like 'they have hunger'. The correct way is 'Ellos tienen hambre.'

encuentres

en-KWEN-tres/enˈkwentɾes/

VerbB1Formal/Informal
Use 'encuentres' reflexively (te encuentres) in the subjunctive mood to refer to someone's state of health or location (informal, singular 'you').
An illustration of a happy, healthy person relaxing comfortably outdoors on a sunny park bench.

Examples

Me alegra que te encuentres bien.

I am glad that you are well.

Me alegra que te encuentres mejor hoy.

I am glad that you are feeling better today. (Used reflexively: te encuentres)

¿Dónde quieres que nos encontremos (nosotros)?

Where do you want us to meet? (Related meaning, plural form)

The Reflexive 'Te'

When 'encuentres' means 'you are/you feel,' it must be paired with the pronoun 'te' (te encuentres), because the action is reflecting back onto the subject.

tenéis

VerbA1Informal (Spain)
Use 'tenéis' to express age, hunger, thirst, or being cold/hot for multiple people in an informal context (plural 'you', Spain).

Examples

¿Cuántos años tenéis?

How old are you (all)?

Ser vs. Estar: The Most Common Pitfall

The biggest confusion for learners is choosing between 'ser' (eres) and 'estar' (estás, estás). Remember: 'ser' describes permanent traits and identity, while 'estar' describes temporary conditions, emotions, and locations. When in doubt, ask yourself if the state is permanent or temporary.

Related Translations

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