Descriptions with Estar

In this topic we will look at describing locations and how we feel with Estar (To be).

We have already learned that Estar (To be) is a fundamental Spanish verb (action/doing word) that is generally used for describing non-permanent things such as location and moods. We know that there are two Spanish verbs To Be Ser and Estar, and that Ser is generally used for describing permanent things such as name and nationality. In this topic we will practice describing things with Estar that are considered non-permanent.

Describing how we feel with Estar

We use El verbo Estar when we want to describe how we feel because moods and emotions are generally non-changing.

Useful adjectives:

Contento/a: Happy
Triste: Sad
Enfadado/a: Angry
Aburrido/a: Bored
Cansado/a: Tired
Preocupado/a: Worried
Sorprendido/a: Surprised
Celoso/a: Jealous
Asustado/a: Scared
Relajado/a: Relaxed
Estresado/a: Stressed

Remember, adjectives are words which describe nouns (e.g. size, shape, age, color, origin, material). In English, adjectives typically come before the nouns they describe whereas in Spanish adjectives come after the noun (e.g. short hair: pelo corto/hair short).

In Spanish, some adjectives change, depending upon whether the word they describe is masculine or feminine and all change depending upon whether the word they describe is singular or plural.

With adjectives that end in –O you change their ending to –A if you are describing a female thing. When describing singular things with adjectives that don’t finish in –O you don’t change the ending of the adjective.

You add –OS if you are describing more than one masculine thing and –AS if you are describing more than one female thing. When describing more than one thing you add –ES to the adjective if it ends in a consonant and –S if it ends in a vowel.

Let’s practice now with some example sentences:

¿Cómo estás?: How are you?
Estoy muy contento: I am very happy
¿Cómo estáis?: How are you?
Estamos enfadadas: We are angry
¿Cómo está tu madre?: How is your mother?
Mi madre está estresada: My mother is stressed
¿Cómo está Antonio?: How is Antonio?
Antonio está preocupado: Antonio is worried
¿Cómo están Juan y Marta?: How are Juan and Marta?
Juan y Marta están tristes: Juan y Marta are sad

These are all descriptions of non-permanent emotions or moods. It should be pointed out that it is possible to use some of these adjectives with Ser if you specifically wish to make the point that your description is ‘permanent’.

For example:

Sandra está celosa ahora: Sandra is jealous now
Sandra es una persona celosa: Sandra is a jealous person
Estar is also used when describing locations

Remember, we use Estar when we wish to describe where something or someone is located.

For example:
¿Dónde estás ahora?: Where are you now?
Estoy en el museo: I am in the museum
¿Dónde está tu hermano?: Where is your brother?
Está en Inglaterra: He is in England
¿Dónde están Silvia y María?: Where are Silvia and Maria?
Están en la biblioteca: They are in the library

With all of these examples of descriptions with Estar they clearly describe temporary situations, with people in places that they are not always or usually. You should also be aware, however, that Estar is also used rather than Ser for descriptions of permanent locations. Basically, for all descriptions of locations we use Estar.

For example:

¿Dónde está Madrid?: Where is Madrid?
Madrid está en el centro de España: Madrid is in the centre of Spain
¿Dónde está Sevilla?: Where is Sevilla?
Sevilla está en el sur de España: Sevilla is in the south of Spain
¿Dónde estan Bilbao y San Sebastián?: Where are Bilbao and San Sebastian?
Bilbao y San Sebastián están en el norte de España