The use of Esta

Question

why does como esta mean how are you when esta is suppose to mean "is" shouldn't "are you " be something like Es usted or son usted?

Answer 1

The reason you don't use the verb "ser" or "cómo es?" when asking how you are doing is because the verb ser is meant to describe things (tall, short, brown, black etc). The verb "Estar" is meant to describe your condition (happy, sad, mad etc). So while you can ask "Cómo es?" You are really asking how they would describe themselves in a permanent sense like "Soy muy alegre o soy alta." But "Cómo estás? is asking "How are you doing right now?" Does that make sense? I hope that helps!

Answer 2

¿Cómo está usted? --- How are you? --- singular

¿Cómo están ustedes? --- How are you? --- plural

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