está
/esta/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for 'is' is está.
está is a verb used to describe the location of a person or thing, or a temporary state.
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, there is a distinction between está and the verb ser. While está is used for location and temporary states, es (from the verb ser) is used for permanent characteristics and identity.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form está is third-person singular. It changes to están when the subject is plural, such as ellos (they) or ustedes (you all).
How do you pronounce it?
/esta/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse está (temporary state/location) with es (permanent trait), a distinction that does not exist in English.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, you can say está muerto to describe someone who 'is dead', even though death is permanent. This is because estar is used for the resulting state of a change.
- Adding a tilde to the 'a' in está is crucial because without it, esta becomes a demonstrative adjective meaning 'this'. A missing accent changes the verb 'is' into a pointer.
- The word está comes from the Latin word stare, which means 'to stand'. This explains why the verb is used for physical positions and locations.
Examples in context
- Él está en casa.He is at home.This sentence shows how to use está to indicate someone is at a location.Tatoeba #1957979 by teskmon, translation #816868 by Cindrogriza
- No sé dónde está.I don't know where it is.This sentence is useful for expressing uncertainty about a location using está.Tatoeba #746563 by Shishir, translation #2361278 by CK
- Él está sobre mí.He is above me.This sentence demonstrates using está to describe a physical position relative to something else.Tatoeba #1171175 by marcelostockle, translation #1147992 by cntrational
- Él es inteligente.He is intelligent.
- Usted está ocupado.You are busy.
- Él es simpático.He is nice.
- La comida está deliciosa.The food is delicious.
- Ellos son divertidos.They are fun.
- 4316 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are looking for a missing book.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿dónde está el libro?Daniel, where is the book?
- DanielCreo que está en la mesa.I think it is on the table.
- ElenaNo está aquí.It is not here.
- DanielAh, ahora veo que está en tu mano.Ah, now I see that it is in your hand.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
