May Family Month Sale: LIFETIME discount of 40% OFF regular price!
Video Dictionary for Language Learners

The meaning of the Spanish word "estar" and how you use it

1
estar
(v.) (infinitive) to be (conditions) This form of “to be” refers often to temporary conditions, such as mood, physical condition, and other non-permanent situations. It is also used to indicate location, permanent and temporary: Madrid está en España. / Yo estoy en mi casa.
Add to
Ildu

Ildu

Content Editor
Ildu is an English and Spanish translator and editor living in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She holds a BA degree in Legal Sworn Translation and has been working as a translator and linguist for over 15 years.
View Bio

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
No quiero estar sola .
I don't want to be alone.
Ella quiere estar enamorada .
She wants to be in love.
Quiz Yourself on " estar"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
The Digital Age Family
Estar ahí . Escucharles .
Be there. Listen to them.
The Conscience of a Salesman
¡ Eso ! Tú vas a estar bien .
That's it! You are going to be well.
The Passion Behind the Movie: Three Meters Above Heaven
Tenemos que estar a la altura .
We have to be up to par.
Quiz Yourself on " estar"
2
estar
(v.) (infinitive) to be (location)
Add to
Adrián Camacho

Adrián Camacho

Content Editor
Adrián is a SP language assistant, EN-SP content localizer, and EN tutor living in Guadalajara, Mexico. He holds a bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages and Cultures and has worked in language-learning for almost 10 years.
View Bio

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Me gusta estar en mi casa .
I like to be at home.
Juan no quiere estar en clase .
Juan doesn't want to be in class.
Quiz Yourself on " estar"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
The Lost Apples Song
¿ Dónde podrán estar ?
Where could they be?
The Lost Apples Song
¿ Dónde podrán estar ?
Where could they be?
Where Is the Owl?
¿ Dónde podrá estar ?
Where could it be?
Quiz Yourself on " estar"
3
sala...de...estar
(n.) (fem.) (sing.) living room
Add to
Ildu

Ildu

Content Editor
Ildu is an English and Spanish translator and editor living in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She holds a BA degree in Legal Sworn Translation and has been working as a translator and linguist for over 15 years.
View Bio

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Tu sala de estar es grande .
Your living room is big.
Ana está en la sala de estar .
Ana is in the living room.
Quiz Yourself on " sala... de... estar"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
How Can Art Help Us in Life?
La particularidad de la escena se prolonga en la sala de estar vacía ,
The peculiarity of the scene is amplified in the empty living room
Rooms in the House
Cuatro , la sala de estar
Four, the living room
Rooms in the House
La sala de estar
The living room
Quiz Yourself on " sala... de... estar"
4
estar
(v.) (infinitive) to be (here/there)
Add to
Adrián Camacho

Adrián Camacho

Content Editor
Adrián is a SP language assistant, EN-SP content localizer, and EN tutor living in Guadalajara, Mexico. He holds a bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages and Cultures and has worked in language-learning for almost 10 years.
View Bio

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Tienes que estar una semana .
You have to be there a week.
Yo quería estar una hora más .
I wanted to be here/there one more hour.
Quiz Yourself on " estar"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
The Cat in the Hat - Part 1 of 2
No debe de estar aquí , ni muy cerca siquiera .
He shouldn't be here, not even nearby.
The Cat in the Hat - Part 1 of 2
No debe de estar aquí si su mamá está afuera .
He shouldn't be here if your mom is out.
Seville in Two Days - Part 1 of 3
Para conocer bien la ciudad necesitás estar al menos cinco días ,
To really get to know the city, you need to be there at least five days,
Quiz Yourself on " estar"
5
estar...haciendo
(v.) (infinitive) to be doing
Add to

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
¿ Qué quieres estar haciendo en cinco años ?
What do you want to be doing in five years?
Tú deberías estar haciendo algo .
You should be doing something.
Quiz Yourself on " estar... haciendo"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
Charades with Ernie and Bert!
Ahora yo fingiré estar haciendo algo .
Now I will pretend to be doing something.
Quiz Yourself on " estar... haciendo"

Browse other useful Spanish words and phrases

no yes Friday what Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday hecho les mismo sea estamos pasa trabajo dijo ellos vas

Learn a Language with Music Videos, Movie Scenes, Inspiring Talks, and More

Get 14-Day Free Trial
Learn a Language with Music Videos, Movie Scenes, Inspiring Talks, and More