estar

to be (state/location)

verb eh-STAHR Common

Origin: From Latin stare ('to stand').

Usage Note

Estar covers temporary conditions, emotions, and geographical location, contrasting with ser for permanent traits. Some adjectives change meaning depending on which verb they follow: ser aburrido ('to be boring') vs estar aburrido ('to be bored'). The progressive is formed with estar + gerund (estoy comiendo).

Examples

"Está cansado después del viaje."

Natural Translation

He is tired after the trip.

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