Estar Spanish Conjugations: The Ultimate Guide
When it comes to learning Spanish, estar is one of the most important verbs to master. You need it to describe temporary states, locations, emotions, and ongoing actions. Unlike ser, which is used for permanent or inherent characteristics, estar helps you express temporary conditions or things that change over time. This guide will cover all aspects of estar Spanish conjugation, with easy examples, helpful tips, and a detailed estar conjugation chart with English translations for each verb tense.
By the end of this post, you’ll be an estar conjugation pro—leaving most Spanish learners in the dust! From the present tense to the subjunctive (and everything in between), you’ll have all the estar tenses ins Spanish mastered. 🚀🔥 For more insights into other irregular verbs, check out our Hacer Conjugation Guide and Ser Conjugation Guid
Table of Contents
What The Heck Does the Verb Estar Mean?
In English, estar means “to be.” Unlike Spanish, English only has one way to say “to be”. Spanish on the other hand, has two ways.
One way to say “to be” in Spanish is the verb estar, the other is the verb ser. When do you use the ser vs estar conjugation though?
What is the Verb Estar Used for?
“How you feel and where you are, use the verb estar.”
In other words if you’re talking about how you feel or where you are physically at, estar is the verb you want to use, not ser.
It’s primarily used for:
- 🔄 Temporary states: Estoy cansado. (I am tired.)
- 📍 Locations: El libro está en la mesa. (The book is on the table.)
- 🍽️ Conditions: La comida está caliente. (The food is hot.)
- 😊 Emotions: Estamos felices. (We are happy.)
- 📖 Ongoing actions: Estoy leyendo. (I am reading.)
If you need a refresher on when to use ser versus estar, check out this BBC Bitesize guide on ser and estar.
Estar Conjugation Chart | All Verb Tenses
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive conjugation chart for estar across all verb tenses, plus the English translations. Feel free to use this table as a quick reference to improve your Spanish conjugation skills and gain confidence in using estar correctly in any situation! 🚀👇
| Tense | Yo | Tú | Él/Ella/Usted | Nosotros/Nosotras | Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Estoy (I am) | Estás (You are) | Está (He/She is; You are) | Estamos (We are) | Están (They/You all are) |
| Preterite | Estuve (I was) | Estuviste (You were) | Estuvo (He/She was; You were) | Estuvimos (We were) | Estuvieron (They/You all were) |
| Imperfect | Estaba (I was) | Estabas (You were) | Estaba (He/She was; You were) | Estábamos (We were) | Estaban (They/You all were) |
| Future | Estaré (I will be) | Estarás (You will be) | Estará (He/She will be; You will be) | Estaremos (We will be) | Estarán (They/You all will be) |
| Conditional | Estaría (I would be) | Estarías (You would be) | Estaría (He/She would be; You would be) | Estaríamos (We would be) | Estarían (They/You all would be) |
| Present Progressive | Estoy estando (I am being) | Estás estando (You are being) | Está estando (He/She is being; You are being) | Estamos estando (We are being) | Están estando (They/You all are being) |
| Commands (Affirmative) | – | Está (Be) | Esté (Be, formal) | Estemos (Let’s be) | Estén (Be, plural) |
| Commands (Negative) | – | No estés (Don’t be) | No esté (Don’t be, formal) | No estemos (Let’s not be) | No estén (Don’t be, plural) |
| Subjunctive (Present) | Esté (I be) | Estés (You be) | Esté (He/She be; You be) | Estemos (We be) | Estén (They/You all be) |
| Subjunctive (Imperfect) | Estuviera / Estuviese (I were) | Estuvieras / Estuvieses (You were) | Estuviera / Estuviese (He/She were; You were) | Estuviéramos / Estuviésemos (We were) | Estuvieran / Estuviesen (They/You all were) |
| Past Perfect (Pluperfect) | Había estado (I had been) | Habías estado (You had been) | Había estado (He/She had been; You had been) | Habíamos estado (We had been) | Habían estado (They/You all had been) |
| Present Perfect | He estado (I have been) | Has estado (You have been) | Ha estado (He/She has been; You have been) | Hemos estado (We have been) | Han estado (They/You all have been) |
Estar Conjugation Present Tense
The present tense of estar is used to describe actions or feelings happening right now. Check out the present tense estar conjugation table below.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | estoy | I am |
| Tú | estás | You are (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | está | He/She is; You are (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | estamos | We are |
| Vosotros/as | estáis | You all are (informal, Spain) |
| Ellos/as/Ustedes | están | They/You all are |
Examples:
- Estoy feliz hoy. (I am happy today.)
- ¿Dónde estás? (Where are you?)
- Ellos están en la escuela. (They are at school.)
The estar Spanish chart above highlights how the verb changes depending on the subject.
Estar Conjugation in the Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive, or estar subjuntivo, is used to express doubts, wishes, or hypothetical scenarios. Here is the estar conjugation table in the present subjunctive.
Conjugation Table: Estar Present Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | esté | I am |
| Tú | estés | You are (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | esté | He/She is; You be (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | estemos | We are |
| Vosotros/as | estéis | You all are (informal, Spain) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | estén | They/You all are |
Examples:
- Espero que estés bien. (I hope you’re well.)
- Es importante que estemos listos. (It’s important that we be ready.)
- Quiero que estén felices. (I want them to be happy.)
Tips for Using Estar in the Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive of estar is commonly used to express doubt, emotion, or hypothetical situations. Here are some concise tips to master it:
Pair It with Subjunctive Triggers: Use phrases like Espero que (I hope that), Es importante que (It’s important that), or Dudo que (I doubt that) to introduce subjunctive sentences.
Example: Espero que estés feliz. (I hope you’re happy.)Express Emotions or Uncertainty: Use estar with emotional or uncertain statements.
Example: Me preocupa que no estés listo. (It worries me that you’re not ready.)Combine with Impersonal Expressions: Phrases like Es posible que (It’s possible that) or Es bueno que (It’s good that) often require the subjunctive.
Example: Es bueno que estemos preparados. (It’s good that we are prepared.)Practice Contrast with Indicative: Use subjunctive for uncertainty and indicative for facts.
Example: No creo que estés aquí. (I don’t think you’re here.) vs. Sé que estás aquí. (I know you’re here.)
By focusing on subjunctive triggers and practicing with emotional or hypothetical statements, you’ll become confident in using estar in the present subjunctive!
Estar Present Perfect
The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that were recently completed or are still relevant to the present. Here is an estar conjugation chart in the present perfect.
Conjugation Table: Estar Present Perfect
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | he estado | I have been |
| Tú | has estado | You have been (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | ha estado | He/She has been; You have been (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | hemos estado | We have been |
| Vosotros/as | habéis estado | You all have been (informal, Spain) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | han estado | They/You all have been |
Examples:
- He estado muy ocupado. (I have been very busy.)
- ¿Has estado en España antes? (Have you been to Spain before?)
- Hemos estado estudiando mucho. (We have been studying a lot.)
Tips for Using Estar in the Present Perfect
The present perfect of estar is used to describe actions or states that have recently been completed or are still relevant to the present. Here are some quick tips to help you use it effectively:
Pair It with Time Markers: Use phrases like hoy (today), esta semana (this week), or últimamente (lately) to add context.
Example: He estado ocupado toda la semana. (I’ve been busy all week.)Describe Recent Experiences: Use it to talk about what someone has been doing or feeling recently.
Example: ¿Has estado en casa todo el día? (Have you been at home all day?)Combine with the Present Participle: To highlight ongoing relevance, pair he estado (I have been) with actions like trabajando (working) or pensando (thinking).
Example: He estado pensando en llamar a María. (I’ve been thinking about calling María.)Practice with Questions and Answers: Asking and answering questions is a great way to solidify this tense.
Example: ¿Has estado feliz últimamente? (Have you been happy lately?)
Sí, he estado muy feliz. (Yes, I’ve been very happy.)
By focusing on time markers and using real-life examples, you’ll find it easy to incorporate the present perfect of estar into your conversations!
Estar Present Progressive
The present progressive tense, also known as the present continuous, is used to describe actions that are happening right now. In Spanish, it’s formed by using the verb estar in the present tense followed by the present participle (gerundio) of the main verb.
Conjugation Table: Estar Present Progressive
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | estoy estando | I am being |
| Tú | estás estando | You are being (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | está estando | He/She is being; You are being (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | estamos estando | We are being |
| Vosotros/as | estáis estando | You all are being (informal, Spain) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | están estando | They/You all are being |
Examples:
Estoy hablando con mi amigo sobre el proyecto.
(I am talking with my friend about the project.)¿Por qué estás comiendo tan rápido?
(Why are you eating so fast?)Ellos están corriendo en el parque esta mañana.
(They are running in the park this morning.)
Tips for Using Estar in the Present Progressive
Use it for actions happening right now: The present progressive is commonly used to describe something occurring at the moment of speaking.
Example: Estoy hablando contigo ahora.
(I am talking to you now.)Always pair estar with a present participle: Unlike English, which allows for some variation (e.g., “I am being patient” vs. “I am patient”), in Spanish, estar + present participle is required for progressive actions.
Don’t use it for habitual actions: If something happens regularly rather than at this exact moment, use the present tense instead of the present progressive.
Example: Siempre estoy estando cansado. ❌ (Incorrect)
Example: Siempre estoy cansado. ✅ (Correct: “I am always tired.”)Make it more conversational by using question forms:
¿Cómo estás estando últimamente? (How have you been being lately?)
By using estar in the present progressive, you’ll be able to describe real-time events and actions with more accuracy, making your Spanish sound more natural!
Estar Conjugation Past Tense
Estar Conjugation Preterite
The preterite tense describes completed actions in the past.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | estuve | I was |
| Tú | estuviste | You were (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | estuvo | He/She was; You were (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | estuvimos | We were |
| Vosotros/as | estuvisteis | You all were (informal, Spain) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | estuvieron | They/You all were |
Examples:
- Estuve en casa todo el día. (I was at home all day.)
- ¿Estuviste en la fiesta anoche? (Were you at the party last night?)
- Estuvieron muy contentos con el resultado. (They were very happy with the result.)
Tips for Using Estar in the Preterite
The preterite tense of estar is used to describe temporary states, locations, or conditions that occurred at a specific point in the past. Here are some practical tips to help you master its use:
Focus on Specific Time Frames: Use the preterite for situations that happened at a particular moment or during a defined period.
Example: Estuve en la reunión por dos horas. (I was in the meeting for two hours.)Pair with Time Expressions: Words like ayer (yesterday), anoche (last night), or la semana pasada (last week) are commonly used with this tense.
Example: ¿Estuviste en la fiesta anoche? (Were you at the party last night?)Emphasize Completed Actions: The preterite highlights states or locations that began and ended in the past.
Example: Estuvieron en México durante sus vacaciones. (They were in Mexico during their vacation.)Practice Common Questions: Create conversations around specific events or places to practice.
Example: ¿Dónde estuviste ayer? (Where were you yesterday?)
Estuve en casa todo el día. (I was at home all day.)Contrast with the Imperfect: While the preterite emphasizes completed actions, the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Example: Estuve en la tienda cuando empezó a llover. (I was at the store when it started raining.)
Estaba en la tienda todos los sábados. (I used to be at the store every Saturday.)
By practicing these patterns and pairing them with time-specific expressions, you’ll find it much easier to use estar in the preterite tense naturally and confidently!
Estar Conjugation Imperfect
The imperfect tense describes habitual or ongoing actions in the past.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | estaba | I was |
| Tú | estabas | You were (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | estaba | He/She was; You were (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | estábamos | We were |
| Vosotros/as | estabais | You all were (informal, Spain) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | estaban | They/You all were |
Examples:
- Cuando era niño, estaba en el parque todos los días. (When I was a child, I was at the park every day.)
- ¿Dónde estabas ayer? (Where were you yesterday?)
Tips for Using Estar in the Imperfect
The imperfect tense of estar is used to describe ongoing, habitual, or background states in the past. It’s ideal for painting a picture of what “used to be” or “was happening” over time. Here are some concise tips to help you master its use:
Describe Ongoing States: Use the imperfect for conditions, emotions, or locations that lasted for a period of time without focusing on when they started or ended.
Example: Estaba muy cansado después del trabajo. (I was very tired after work.)Set the Scene: Use estar in the imperfect to provide background information in a story.
Example: Estábamos en el parque cuando empezó a llover. (We were in the park when it started raining.)Express Habits or Routines: Combine estar with other imperfect verbs to describe actions that occurred repeatedly in the past.
Example: Cuando era niño, siempre estaba en la playa durante el verano. (When I was a child, I was always at the beach during the summer.)Pair with “Mientras”: Use mientras (while) to describe simultaneous actions.
Example: Estaba cocinando mientras ellos veían la televisión. (I was cooking while they were watching TV.)Contrast with the Preterite: Remember that the imperfect focuses on the “how” or “why” of past states, while the preterite focuses on completed actions.
Example: Estaba feliz porque terminé mi proyecto. (I was happy because I finished my project.)
With practice, you’ll see how estar in the imperfect helps bring depth and detail to your descriptions of the past!
Estar in the Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense (also known as the pluperfect or pretérito pluscuamperfecto) is used to describe actions or states that had happened before another event or point in the past. It’s formed by using the verb haber in the imperfect tense followed by the past participle (estado) of the main verb.
Conjugation Table: Estar in the Past Perfect
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | había estado | I had been |
| Tú | habías estado | You had been (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | había estado | He/She had been; You had been (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | habíamos estado | We had been |
| Vosotros/as | habíais estado | You all had been (informal, Spain) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | habían estado | They/You all had been |
Examples:
- Cuando llegué, ya había estado allí por una hora.
(When I arrived, I had already been there for an hour.) - Habías estado enfermo antes del viaje, ¿verdad?
(You had been sick before the trip, right?) - Mis amigos habían estado en España antes de mudarse a Francia.
(My friends had been in Spain before moving to France.)
Tips for Using Estar in the Past Perfect
Use it to describe a past state before another past event: The past perfect is used to indicate that an action or condition happened before another event in the past.
Example: Cuando llegó la ambulancia, el paciente ya había estado inconsciente durante 10 minutos.
(When the ambulance arrived, the patient had already been unconscious for 10 minutes.)Pair it with time expressions like “ya” (already), “antes” (before), or “nunca” (never): These words help clarify the sequence of events.
Example: Nunca había estado tan nervioso antes de un examen.
(I had never been so nervous before an exam.)Use it for storytelling or recalling past experiences: The past perfect is helpful for narrating sequences of past events in conversations or stories.
Example: Habíamos estado en la playa todo el día cuando comenzó a llover.
(We had been at the beach all day when it started to rain.)
By mastering estar in the past perfect tense, you’ll be able to describe past experiences in greater depth and detail—a key step toward fluency in Spanish!
Estar in the Past Subjunctive
The past subjunctive (also called the imperfect subjunctive) is used to express hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts, emotions, or uncertainty in the past. It often appears in “if” clauses, polite requests, and reported speech.
To form the past subjunctive of estar, take the third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) form of estar in the preterite tense (estuvieron) and drop the “-ron”, then add the past subjunctive endings.
Conjugation Table: Estar in the Past Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | estuviera / estuviese | I was |
| Tú | estuvieras / estuvieses | You were (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | estuviera / estuviese | He/She was; You was (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | estuviéramos / estuviésemos | We were |
| Vosotros/as | estuvierais / estuvieseis | You all were (informal, Spain) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | estuvieran / estuviesen | They/You all were |
Note: Both -ra and -se endings are correct and used interchangeably, though the -ra form (estuviera) is more common in modern spoken Spanish.
Examples:
- Ojalá estuviera en la playa ahora mismo.
(I wish I were at the beach right now.) - Si estuvieras aquí, podríamos ver la película juntos.
(If you were here, we could watch the movie together.) - Esperaba que él estuviera feliz con la noticia.
(I hoped that he was happy with the news.) - Querían que estuviéramos listos antes de las 8.
(They wanted us to be ready before 8.)
Tips for Using Estar in the Past Subjunctive
Use it after expressions of doubt, wishes, or emotions in the past:
Example: Me sorprendió que estuvieras tan callado en la reunión.
(It surprised me that you were so quiet in the meeting.)Use it in “if” (si) clauses to describe hypothetical situations:
Example: Si estuvieras más organizado, terminarías antes.
(If you were more organized, you would finish earlier.)Combine it with conditional tense for “if… then” statements:
Example: Si yo estuviera en tu lugar, hablaría con el jefe.
(If I were in your place, I would talk to the boss.)Use it for polite requests with verbs like “querer” or “gustar”:
Example: Me gustaría que estuvieras aquí.
(I would like for you to be here.)
Mastering the past subjunctive of estar helps you express hypothetical thoughts, emotions, and polite requests in past situations—an essential skill for fluent Spanish conversations!
Estar Future Tense
The future tense describes actions or states that will happen in the future.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | estaré | I will be |
| Tú | estarás | You will be (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | estará | He/She will be; You will be (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | estaremos | We will be |
| Vosotros/as | estaréis | You all will be (informal, Spain) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | estarán | They/You all will be |
Examples:
- Estaré en la oficina mañana. (I will be at the office tomorrow.)
- ¿Dónde estarás la próxima semana? (Where will you be next week?)
Tips for Using Estar in the Future Tense
The future tense of estar is used to describe conditions, locations, or states that will happen or exist in the future. Here are some practical tips for mastering its use:
Talk About Future Plans: Use estar to describe where you or others will be.
Example: Estaré en casa mañana. (I will be at home tomorrow.)Describe Future States: Predict how someone or something will feel or be in the future.
Example: Estaremos cansados después del viaje. (We will be tired after the trip.)Pair with Time Expressions: Combine estar with phrases like mañana (tomorrow), la próxima semana (next week), or en el futuro (in the future) to give your sentences clarity.
Example: Estarán listos para el examen la próxima semana. (They will be ready for the test next week.)Make Hypothetical Assumptions: Use estar to imagine potential future scenarios.
Example: ¿Estará feliz con la sorpresa? (Will she be happy with the surprise?)Practice Regular Usage: Since estar in the future tense follows the regular conjugation rules, it’s easier to memorize.
By incorporating estar in the future tense into your conversations and writing, you’ll have the ability to discuss plans, predictions, and expectations without a problem.
Estar Conditional
The conditional tense describes hypothetical situations or polite requests.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | estaría | I would be |
| Tú | estarías | You would be (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | estaría | He/She would be; You would be (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | estaríamos | We would be |
| Vosotros/as | estaríais | You all would be (informal, Spain) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | estarían | They/You all would be |
Examples:
- Estaría feliz de ayudarte. (I would be happy to help you.)
- ¿Estarías disponible para una reunión? (Would you be available for a meeting?)
Tips for Using Estar in the Conditional Tense
The conditional tense of estar is perfect for describing hypothetical situations, polite requests, or possibilities. Here’s how to use it effectively:
Express Hypothetical Scenarios: Use estar to talk about where someone would be or how they would feel under certain conditions.
Example: Estaría más feliz si tuviera más tiempo libre. (I would be happier if I had more free time.)Make Polite Requests or Suggestions: Use estar to soften your tone in polite conversations.
Example: ¿Estarías disponible para una reunión? (Would you be available for a meeting?)Describe Uncertainty or Wishes: The conditional is helpful when you’re unsure or speculating.
Example: Estaríamos en la playa ahora si no estuviera lloviendo. (We would be at the beach now if it weren’t raining.)
Pro Tips for Practicing
Pair with “If” Clauses: Use the conditional tense with si (if) to practice hypothetical sentences.
Example: Estarías más relajado si tomaras un descanso. (You would be more relaxed if you took a break.)Use for Polite Speech: The conditional is great for softening requests or making suggestions sound less demanding.
Example: ¿Estaría bien si cambiamos la fecha? (Would it be okay if we change the date?)
By practicing estar in the conditional tense, you’ll add a level of nuance and politeness to your Spanish conversations!
Estar Commands
Affirmative Commands
| Command Type | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tú | está | Be (informal) |
| Usted | esté | Be (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | estemos | Let’s be |
| Vosotros/as | estad | Be (informal, Spain) |
| Ustedes | estén | Be (formal, plural) |
Negative Commands
| Command Type | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tú | no estés | Don’t be (informal) |
| Usted | no esté | Don’t be (formal) |
| Nosotros/as | no estemos | Let’s not be |
| Vosotros/as | no estéis | Don’t be (informal, Spain) |
| Ustedes | no estén | Don’t be (formal, plural) |
Examples:
- Tú: No estés triste por eso. (Don’t be sad about that.)
- Usted: No esté nervioso antes de la entrevista. (Don’t be nervous before the interview.)
- Nosotros: No estemos en silencio, hay que participar. (Let’s not be silent; we need to participate.)
- Vosotros: No estéis distraídos durante la clase. (Don’t be distracted during class.)
- Ustedes: No estén lejos cuando los llamen. (Don’t be far away when they call you.)
Helpful Tips for Using Estar Commands
- Practice with Common Phrases: Commands often appear in everyday scenarios. Try phrases like:
- Está atento. (Be attentive.)
- No estés preocupado. (Don’t be worried.)
- Focus on Context: Use affirmative commands to encourage action and negative commands to prevent unwanted behavior.
- Differentiate Between Formal and Informal: Use usted or ustedes commands in formal situations, and tú or vosotros commands in casual settings.
- Combine Commands with Reasons: Adding explanations can make commands feel more natural.
- Example: Esté listo a las 8 porque salimos temprano. (Be ready at 8 because we’re leaving early.)
FAQ About Estar
What is the difference between ser and estar?
- Ser is for permanent states, while estar is for temporary conditions.
- Remember, how you feel and where you are, use the verb estar 😊
How do you conjugate estar in the yo form?
- Present: estoy
- Preterite: estuve
- Future: estaré
- Imperfect: estaba
- Conditional: estaría
- Present Subjunctive: esté
- Imperfect (past) Subjunctive: estuviera / estuviese
- Present Perfect: he estado
- Past Perfect (Pluperfect): había estado
- Present Progressive: estoy estando
- Present Perfect Subjunctive: haya estado
- Past Perfect Subjunctive: hubiera estado / hubiese estado
What is the past participle of estar?
- The past participle of estar is estado.
- Is estar permanent?
- No, estar is not permanent. That’s the verb ser! Estar is used to describe temporary states, feelings, or locations whereas ser describes permanent states and characteristics of people and objects.
- Do you use estar for location?
- Yes, you use estar to describe location.
For more tips, visit SpanishDict or the Real Academia Española.