"de" In esta' de pie
I am so confused as it seems Spanish uses just too many words. Please tell me what the "de" in El hombre está de pie. I know it means, the man is standing, but why the word "de" and what does it mean here in this sentence. Thanks!
3 Answers
In addition to what has been posted, you can use context clues. The verb estar gives off a big context clue. Estar is a verb of condition and estar de is a common phrase that is used for physical and emotional conditions.
Spanish uses just the amount of words that are necessary.
de pie means literally on foot there is no literal equivalent for "standing" in Spanish. You need to understand when you study a language that it is not a translation from English, it is a reality of itself and expresses ideas and thought in sounds called words or phrases.
So de means on in on foot or de pie means standing.
I hope this helps. Keep studying Spanish it will get easier the more you learn.
Thank you for your answer. A teacher here told me "de pie" means afoot (adverb) in the sentence, El hombre está de pie, because he is just standing at the window. That makes sense since "on foot" means walking because he does not have a car. I appreciate all the help. Thanks bunch!
