estar
/esˈtaɾ/
estar is the Spanish verb meaning to be.
The verb estar is used to express temporary states, locations and feelings.
Which one should you use?
While both estar and ser can mean 'to be', they are used in different contexts: estar is used for temporary states, locations and feelings, whereas ser is used for permanent characteristics and identity.
How does it change in a sentence?
estar is irregular in the present tense, most notably in the forms estoy (I am) and estás (you are). To form the present continuous to say you are currently doing something, use estar followed by the gerund of the main verb, such as estoy comiendo (I am eating). When using estar with a past participle to describe a state, such as a door being closed, the participle must agree in gender and number with the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The conjugation of estar in the past tense is a linguistic mystery. It is believed that the preterite forms were actually borrowed and generalized from the verb haber, meaning 'to have'.
- The Spanish word estación, meaning 'station', shares the same root as estar, reinforcing the original concept of a place where one stands or stays.
- In some dialects, using estar instead of ser to describe a person can imply they are acting out of character or are in a temporary mood, such as saying someone 'is' annoying today.
Examples in context
- Los vasos están rotos.The glasses are broken. (In passive voice with estar, unlike haber, its past participle agrees with number and gender of the subject)This sentence shows how the past participle must agree in number and gender with the subject when using están in a passive voice construction.
- Estoy en casa.I am at home.
- ¿Está usted ocupado?Are you busy?
- Me encuentro en la oficina.I am in the office.
- ¿Se encuentra usted bien?Are you feeling well?
- Me hallo a gusto aquí.I am comfortable here.
- ¿Cómo se halla usted?How are you?
- Estoy cansado.I am tired.
- ¿Estás seguro?Are you sure?
- Anda muy ocupado últimamente.He's been busy lately.
- ¿Cómo andas?How are you doing?
- Estoy de vacaciones.I am on vacation.
- Estamos de fiesta.We are having a party.
- Estás como loco.You are acting crazy.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are meeting at a cafe.
- LucíaHola Mateo, ¿cómo puedes estar tan tranquilo?Hi Mateo, how can you be so calm?
- MateoSimplemente trato de estar relajado.I am simply trying to be relaxed.
- LucíaYo necesito estar más calmada como tú.I need to be calmer like you.
- MateoEs bueno estar en paz.It is good to be at peace.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry estar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
