¿estás casado?
The English phrase "are you married?" is translated into Spanish as ¿estás casado?
This phrase is a question used to inquire if someone has a spouse.
Which one should you use?
The phrase uses the verb estar rather than ser because marital status is treated as a state or condition in this context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase ¿Está casado/a? is commonly used. In Latin American countries, you will often hear the phrase ¿Tienes esposo/a?, which translates to "Do you have a husband/wife?"
How does it change in a sentence?
Spanish requires you to adjust the phrase based on the gender and number of people you are addressing. If you are asking a woman, you must use the feminine form ¿estás casada? instead of the masculine ¿estás casado? To ask a couple or a group of people if they are married, use the plural form ¿están casados?
Did you know?
- If someone replies estoy comprometido, they might mean they are engaged to be married or that they have a heavy professional obligation.
- In traditional Spanish weddings, the phrase sí, quiero is the standard response to the marriage vows, which literally means 'yes, I want' rather than 'I do'.
- Spanish has a specific term solterón for a man who remains unmarried long past the expected age, which carries a more negative connotation than the neutral soltero.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, ¿está usted casado/a?Good morning, are you married?
- Oye, ¿estás casado/a?Hey, are you married?
- Disculpe, ¿está casado/a?Excuse me, are you married?
- ¿Tienes esposo/a?Do you have a husband/wife?
- ¿Estás casado?Are you married?
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are chatting at a party.
- LucíaMe caes muy bien, Alejandro.I like you a lot, Alejandro.
- AlejandroGracias, tú también eres simpática.Thanks, you are also nice.
- LucíaUna pregunta, ¿estás casado?One question, are you married?
- AlejandroNo, estoy soltero.No, I am single.
