estás
/estas/from spelling rules
estás is the Spanish way to say "you are" (second person singular).
estás is a form of the verb estar, which means "to be." It is specifically used when you are talking about locations or temporary states, such as feelings or current conditions.
Which one should you use?
Use estás instead of eres when you are describing temporary states, feelings or locations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form estás includes an implicit subject tú (you), so the pronoun is often omitted in conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
/estas/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not forget the accent on the á. Without the accent, estas means "these" (feminine plural) rather than "you are".
Did you know?
- Because estás describes states, it is used in the expression estás en tu salsa, which literally means 'you are in your sauce' but actually means 'you are in your element'.
- The verb estar comes from the Latin stare, which means 'to stand', explaining why estás is used for location and physical posture.
- In some Spanish dialects, estás is used in the phrase estás bueno or estás buena to describe someone as sexually attractive, rather than just saying they are 'good'.
Examples in context
- Tú estás cansado.You are tired.
- Tú estás ocupado.You are busy.
- Tú estás feliz.You are happy.
- Tú estás triste.You are sad.
- Tú estás enfermo.You are sick.
- ¿Estás tú listo?Are you ready?
- ¿Estás tú seguro?Are you sure?
- ¿Cómo estás?How are you?
- ¿Dónde estás ahora?Where are you now?
- Estás en la cocina, ¿verdad?You are in the kitchen, right?
Example conversation
Alejandro is looking for Elena in their house.
- Alejandro¿Elena, dónde estás?Elena, where are you?
- ElenaEstoy en el jardín.I am in the garden.
- AlejandroAh, ¿estás con el perro?Ah, are you with the dog?
- ElenaSí, estoy aquí con él.Yes, I am here with him.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
