Estar vs. Estoy

Question

When to use estar versus estoy?

My bad, I meant to say "estar vs. ser". I see that it's all covered in lesson 1.11. Thanks! - pedrocolorado, Mar 31, 2010

Answer 1

This lesson explains it well.

Ser vs. estar lesson

Answer 2

Estar is the verb "to be" in the infinitive form, which means that it means only "to be" it would be used in this form following a verb that has already been conjugated. "él quiere estar conmigo." (He wants to be with me.)

Estoy is one of the many forms of conjugations of the infinitive estar. In this form, it means "I am." It could be used in a sentence like: Estoy seguro que va a nevar mañana. (I am sure that it is going to snow tomorrow.)

I hope you found this helpful.

Answer 3

Estoy is a conjugation of estar. Estoy is the present tense of Estar.

Estar = to be Estoy = I am

And, as Scott points out, ser is also "to be" and soy is the present tense conjugation of ser.

You use these two versions of "to be" at different times that his link should explain.