Estar is one of the two Spanish verbs that mean "to be" (the other is ser). It is used to describe temporary states, conditions, emotions, and locations.
Estar is irregular in some tenses and uses specific rules for when to use it instead of ser*.

Fundamental Rules

Estar is used for:
  • Temporary or changing states (e.g., Estoy cansado — I am tired).
  • Locations of people, places, or things (e.g., El libro está en la mesa — The book is on the table).
  • Ongoing actions in the present progressive (e.g., Estoy estudiando — I am studying).
  • Describing how something tastes or feels at a particular moment (e.g., La sopa está caliente — The soup is hot).
Use ser for: identity, origin, time, and permanent characteristics.

Summary

  • Temporary states/conditions
  • Locations (not just physical objects, but also temporary situations)
  • Present progressive (estar + gerund)
  • Temporary qualities

Conjugations

Estar is irregular in several tenses. Here are the key forms:
TenseSingularPluralSpanish Example (1st Person Singular)English Example (1st Person Singular)
Present IndicativeestoyestamosEstoy cansado.I am tired.
PreteriteestuveestuvimosEstuve en casa.I was at home.
ImperfectestabaestábamosEstaba feliz.I was happy.
ConditionalestaríaestaríamosEstaría en la playa.I would be at the beach.
FutureestaréestaremosEstaré ocupado.I will be busy.
Present SubjunctiveestéestemosEspero que esté listo.I hope he/she is ready.
  • Estoy leyendo (I am reading) — Present progressive
  • Ojalá que estés bien (I hope you are well) — Subjunctive
  • Estuve enfermo (I was sick) — Preterite

Usage Cases

Temporary States and Conditions

Use estar to talk about moods, health, and other states that can change.
Spanish ExampleEnglish Example
Estoy cansado.I am tired.
Ella está feliz.She is happy.
Estamos enfermos.We are sick.

Locations

Use estar to describe where people, objects, and places are located.
Spanish ExampleEnglish Example
El libro está en la mesa.The book is on the table.
Estamos en casa.We are at home.
¿Dónde estás?Where are you?

Present Progressive

Use estar + gerund to describe actions happening right now.
Spanish ExampleEnglish Example
Estoy estudiando.I am studying.
Están comiendo.They are eating.
Estamos hablando.We are speaking.

Temporary Quality or Condition

Use estar for qualities that are not permanent or are subject to change.
Spanish ExampleEnglish Example
La sopa está caliente.The soup is hot.
El café está frío.The coffee is cold.
La ventana está abierta.The window is open.

Distinguishing from Ser: Temporary vs. Permanent

Use estar when the condition or state is temporary, and ser when it is permanent or defining.
Ser ExampleEstar Example
Ella es aburrida. (She is boring.)Ella está aburrida. (She is bored.)
La manzana es verde. (It is a green apple.)La manzana está verde. (The apple is unripe.)

Idiomatic Expressions with Estar

There are many fixed expressions with estar.
Spanish ExampleEnglish Example
Estoy de acuerdo.I agree.
Está bien.It’s okay.
Estoy en contra.I am against it.

Common Mistakes

  1. Using ser instead of estar for temporary situations.
    1. Incorrect: *Soy cansado.
    2. Correct: *Estoy cansado.
  2. Using estar for permanent characteristics.
    1. Incorrect: *Estoy inteligente.
    2. Correct: *Soy inteligente.
  3. Confusing location with origin.
    1. Incorrect: *Estoy de España.
    2. Correct: *Soy de España.
  4. Forgetting the accent in 3rd person singular/plural present subjunctive.
    1. Incorrect: *Espero que este listo.
    2. Correct: *Espero que esté listo.

Exercise Types

Fill-in-the-Blank with Conjugation

Complete the sentence with the correct form of estar.
Spanish PromptEnglish Prompt
Yo (estar) en la oficina.I am at the office.
Ellos (estar) cansados.They are tired.
Nosotros (estar) estudiando.We are studying.

Choosing Between Ser and Estar

Select ser or estar for each sentence.
Spanish ExampleEnglish Example
Ella _ (ser/estar) médica.She is a doctor.
Nosotros _ (ser/estar) en la playa.We are at the beach.
La tarea _ (ser/estar) difícil.The homework is difficult.

Location Descriptions

Describe the location of the objects or people using estar.
Spanish ExampleEnglish Example
El gato _ (estar) debajo de la mesa.The cat is under the table.
_ (estar) en el jardín.You are in the garden.

Fill in the blank with the correct form of estar: "Tú _______ en el jardín."


estás

Estás is the second person singular form used to describe a temporary location.

State/Condition Descriptions

Describe the state or condition of the subjects using estar.
Spanish ExampleEnglish Example
Yo _ (estar) enfermo.I am sick.
Ellos _ (estar) contentos.They are happy.

Fill in the blank with the correct form of estar: "Ellos _______ contentos."


están

Están is the third person plural form used to describe a temporary emotional state.

Recap

Estar means "to be" and is used for:
  • Temporary states and conditions
  • Locations
  • Present progressive (ongoing actions)
  • Temporary qualities
Remember, when in doubt, ask:
  • Is it temporary or subject to change? → Estar
  • Is it permanent or an inherent trait? → Ser

Flashcards (1 of 31)

  • Tense: Present Indicative
  • Singular: estoy
  • Plural: estamos
  • English Example (1st Person Singular): I am tired.

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

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