How do I ask how a third person is feeling?

Question

If I was talking to Mary and I want to ask her how Jack is feeling can I say to Mary ¿Cómo estás Jack? and if I was talking to Jack directly would it be the same?

Thanks for all your help!

Excellent question! :) - 0066c384, Sep 7, 2011

Are you just asking politely, "how are you?' or are you wondering how they are feeling (emotionally or physically)? - katydew, Sep 7, 2011

Answer 1

No. The person that you are talking about is 3rd person. When you address that person, it becomes 2nd person. When talking to Jack directly you would use "you".

¿Cómo estás [tú,], Jack? (talking to Jack directly)

María, ¿cómo está [él] Jack? (talking about Jack)

Spanish gets confusing because it has a 2nd person (formal) usted that uses the 3rd person verb ending.

¿Cómo está [usted], Jack? (talking directly to Jack in a formal manner) It uses the 3rd person verb ending, but it is still 2nd person "you".

I hope to be able to confidently answer a question like this someday. :) - 0066c384, Sep 7, 2011

I hope to someday understand it, myself. To understand it requires knowledge of the history of the Spanish language's evolution.. - 0074b507, Sep 7, 2011

Gracias.. this is very helpful - Ace_Poppins, Sep 8, 2011

Answer 2

Also - ¿Cómo se siente Jack? (from sentir - to feel)