Study Spanish - Ser and Estar

Ser and Estar

This lesson examines the other Spanish verb for "to be": estar.

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Estar is used to express geographic or physical locations.

¿Dónde estás?
Where are you?

Estoy en el laboratorio.
I'm in the laboratory.

¿Dónde está Chile?
Where's Chile?

Chile está en América del Sur.
Chile is in South America.
Note: The one exception to this rule is that ser is used to tell where an event is taking place. (La fiesta es en mi casa.)

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Estar is used with adjectives to express a state or condition ("how" something is).

¿Cómo está la sopa?
How's the soup?

La sopa está fría.
The soup is cold.

¿Cómo estás tú?
How are you?

Estoy muy bien, gracias.
I am very well, thanks.

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Estar is used with many idiomatic expressions. These are just a few.

estar de acuerdo
to be in agreement

estar de pie
to be standing

estar en camino
to be on the way

estar en las nubes
to daydream

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Estar is used with the progressive tenses. You will learn more about this usage later. We present it now simply because it is an important use of the verb estar.

¿Qué estás comiendo?
What are you eating?

Estoy comiendo arroz y frijoles.
I am eating rice and beans.

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Let's review. Estar is used to express:

geographic or physical location
state or condition
many idiomatic expressions
progressive tenses

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Let's add another flashcard:

Verb Flashcards

Uses of estar

geographic or physical location
state or condition
many idiomatic expressions
progressive tenses