The Present Tense of Estar is used to describe temporary states or conditions, for example, Estoy cansado. (I am tired.)
Estar is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugations do not follow a set pattern across all subjects.
Conjugations
Conjugations of Estar (to be) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Yo | estoy |
| Tú | estás |
| Él / Ella / Usted | está |
| Nosotros / Nosotras | estamos |
| Vosotros / Vosotras | estáis |
| Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes | están |
Boost Your Memorization with Audio!
We’ve included audio recordings of the the conjugations of Estar (to be) in the Present Tense to help you learn faster.
Pro Tip: Play the audio on a loop as you study the chart. This repetition will solidify the correct conjugations in your memory.
Usage of Estar in the Present Tense
Estar generally means “to be” in a temporary state or condition, but has several different meanings in the Present Tense, some of which might surprise you.
Location: To indicate where someone or something is located, for example, Estoy en casa (I am at home).
Temporary Condition: To describe a temporary physical or emotional state, for example, Estoy cansado (I am tired).
Progressive Action: To express an ongoing action, for example, Estoy estudiando (I am studying).
Idiomatic Expressions: Estar is used in many idiomatic expressions, for example, ¡Estoy hasta las narices! (I’m fed up!).
Slang Usage: In colloquial speech, estar can be used in a rude or vulgar way, for example, ¡Estás buenísima! (You’re super hot!).
Examples
Examples of Estar in the Present Tense
¡Estoy tan emocionada por este viaje! (I’m so excited for this trip!)
Mis amigos están en el parque ahora mismo. (My friends are at the park right now.)
La fiesta está en pleno apogeo. (The party is in full swing.)
¿Dónde estás? Te estamos esperando. (Where are you? We’re waiting for you.)
No puedo creer que estén cancelando el concierto. (I can’t believe they’re canceling the concert.)
El equipo está jugando muy bien esta temporada. (The team is playing very well this season.)
¿Estás lista para el gran día? (Are you ready for the big day?)
Estamos buscando un nuevo apartamento. (We’re looking for a new apartment.)
La situación política está muy tensa en este momento. (The political situation is very tense right now.)
¿Qué estás haciendo este fin de semana? (What are you doing this weekend?)
Los niños están jugando en el patio trasero. (The kids are playing in the backyard.)
El tráfico está horrible hoy. (Traffic is horrible today.)
Estoy aprendiendo un nuevo idioma. (I’m learning a new language.)
Mis compañeros de trabajo están muy ocupados esta semana. (My coworkers are very busy this week.)
La ciudad está llena de turistas en esta época del año. (The city is full of tourists at this time of year.)
Conjugations with English Translations
Conjugations of Estar (to be) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Yo estoy | I am |
| Tú estás | You are |
| Él / Ella / Usted está | He / She / You (formal) is |
| Nosotros / Nosotras estamos | We are |
| Vosotros / Vosotras estáis | You all are |
| Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes están | They / You all (formal) are |
This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here
Synonyms
The Present tense is also known as the Simple Present, Present Simple, Present Tense, or Present Indicative in English, and as Presente de Indicativo, Presente Simple, Tiempo Presente, or Indicativo Presente in Spanish.