8.1.13

Uses of To Be 2

Test yourself

Uses of 'Estar'

The verb 'estar' in Spanish has many different uses. It is important to know all of its uses.

Illustrative background for LocationIllustrative background for Location ?? "content

Location

  • 'Estar' is used to say where something is.
    • ¿Dónde están las llaves?
      • Where are the keys?
    • Delhi está en India.
      • Delhi is in India.
Illustrative background for MoodIllustrative background for Mood ?? "content

Mood

  • 'Estar' is used to show someone's mood, it reflects that the state is temporary.
    • Theo está feliz.
      • Theo is happy.
    • Estoy bien.
      • I am ok.
Illustrative background for ConsequencesIllustrative background for Consequences ?? "content

Consequences

  • 'Estar' is used to show an event that happens because of something else.
    • La puerta está abierta.
      • The door is open.
Illustrative background for HealthIllustrative background for Health ?? "content

Health

  • In the same way, 'estar' is used to show illness.
    • Están enfermos.
      • They are ill.

'Ser' or 'Estar'

Using the wrong verb can change the meaning of a phrase. You have to be careful when selecting which verb to use.

Illustrative background for To be open vs be an open characterIllustrative background for To be open vs be an open character ?? "content

To be open vs be an open character

  • The phrase 'to be open' in Spanish would be 'estar abierto/a'.
  • But if you use 'ser' instead, the phrase changes meaning to talk about someone's character.
    • Chris es abierto.
      • Chris is an open person.
Illustrative background for To be ready vs to be cleverIllustrative background for To be ready vs to be clever ?? "content

To be ready vs to be clever

  • If you want to say that 'you are ready, 'estar' would need to be used.
    • Estoy listo.
      • I am ready.
  • But if you were talking about intelligence you would need to use 'ser'.
    • Soy listo.
      • I am clever.
Illustrative background for To be proud of vs to be entitledIllustrative background for To be proud of vs to be entitled ?? "content

To be proud of vs to be entitled

  • Being proud is a temporary state, you are not always proud of someone, so 'estar' is needed.
    • Mis padres están orgullosos de mí.
      • My parents are proud of me.
  • But if you use 'ser' here the meaning is changed.
    • Mis padres son orgullosos.
      • My parents are entitled/arrogant.
Illustrative background for To be handsomeIllustrative background for To be handsome ?? "content

To be handsome

  • To say that someone is good-looking you would need to use 'ser'.
    • Zach es guapa.
      • Zach is handsome (a handsome man).
  • This is an inherent quality.
  • But if you say someone looks handsome 'estar' is needed.
  • Someone could look handsome because of clothes or a haircut, so it is temporary.
    • Zach está guapo.
      • Zach looks handsome today (today is temporal).

Jump to other topics

1Phonics/Alphabet/Spellings

2You, Family & Home

3School & Jobs

4Town, Shopping, Food, Drink

5Free Time

6Holiday

7The World Around Us

8Present Tense

9Past Tense

10Future Tense

11Conditional

12Grammar

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson