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"Estar" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be", and "venir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to come". Learn more about the difference between "estar" and "venir" below.
estar(
ehs
-
tahr
)
A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
copular verb
a. to be
Este pastel de chocolate está delicioso.This chocolate cake is delicious.
Este hotel está muy concurrido.This hotel is very popular.
b. to look
Estás muy guapa hoy. ¿Adónde vas?You look very nice today. Where are you going?
a. to be
Estoy enojada porque me acaban de dar una multa de estacionamiento.I am angry because I just got a parking ticket.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to be
La casa está delante de la iglesia.The house is in front of the church.
a. to be
No está en casa.He's not home.
a. to be on (vacation, trip, call)
Estaremos de vacaciones en Europa el verano entero.We're going to be on vacation in Europe all summer long.
b. to be in (luck)
¡Estás de suerte! Me queda un par en ese color.You're in luck! I have one pair left in that color.
c. to be working as
Está de recepcionista hasta que consiga un mejor trabajo.He's working as a receptionist until he finds something better.
a. to be
Está triste ahora que no tiene novia.He is sad now that he doesn't have a girlfriend.
a. to look
¡Estás genial con las gafas nuevas!You look great with your new glasses!
a. to stay
Gabriel está con su padre esta noche.Gabriel is staying with his father tonight.
a. to be ready
La comida ya está. ¡Comamos!The food is ready. Let's eat!
a. to be
Luego está el trabajo que queda por hacer.Then there is the work that still needs to be done.
a. to be in the mood for
No estoy para tus estupideces a estas horas.I am not in the mood for your nonsense at this time of night.
a. to have
Está con gripe desde el lunes.He's had the flu since Monday.
a. to be
¿Esta falda queda bien o está muy apretada?Does this skirt look good or is it too tight?
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
No quiero que camines sola por la noche, ¿está?I don't want you walking alone at night, understood?
Nos encontraremos a las siete para ir al cine, ¿estamos?We'll meet at seven to go to the movie, all right?
a. to be in favor of
Los estudiantes están por un aumento en ayuda financiera de parte de la universidad.The students are in favor of the university providing more financial aid.
a. to agree with
Estoy con Ana Sofía; no quiero escuchar más peleas entre ustedes.I agree with Ana Sofía. I don't want to hear anymore fighting between the two of you.
a. to be
¡El termómetro dice que está a 25 grados Fahrenheit pero que se siente como 6!The thermometer says it's 25 degrees Fahrenheit out but that it feels like 6!
a. to be
Estamos a martes, 5 de enero.It is Tuesday, January 5th.
a. to be
Mientras el hemisferio norte está en invierno, el hemisferio sur está en verano.It is winter in the Northern Hemisphere when it's summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
a. to be
El banco está a tres cuadras de la plaza central.The bank is three blocks from the town square.
a. to remain to be
Está por verse si lloverá en la tarde.It remains to be seen whether it will rain this afternoon.
a. to be going to
Las nubes en la distancia indican que estará por llover esta noche.The clouds in the distance indicate that it is going to rain tonight.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Tengo tres libros que están sin terminar.I have three books that I still have to finish reading.
Estoy sin comer desde temprano esta mañana.I haven't eaten anything since early this morning.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. to be
Está limpiando la casa.He's cleaning the house.
a. to be
El cuarto está organizado, ¡así que no hagas desorden!The room is organized. Don't make a mess!
estarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to stay
Estate quieto y no digas ni una palabra.Stay still and don't say a word.
b. to be
¿No puedes estarte quieta ni un minuto?Can't you be still for just a minute?
c. to keep
Diles a los niños que se estén callados un rato, que quiero escuchar las noticias.Tell the kids to keep quiet a minute; I want to listen to the news.
d.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Estate tranquilo; yo lo soluciono.Don't worry; I'll sort it out.
Estate atento porque solo llaman el número una vez.Pay attention because they only call out the number once.
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venir(
beh
-
neer
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to come
El tren viene de Andalucía.The train comes from Andalusia.
b. to arrive
Ella vino en el vuelo de las 9pm.She arrived on the 9pm flight.
a. to come back
Vine a la casa para almorzar.I came back home for lunch.
b. to be back
El perro vendrá cuando tenga hambre.The dog will be back when he's hungry.
a. to be from
Gabriel viene de México.Gabriel is from Mexico.
a. to be
Los subtítulos de la película vienen en inglés.The subtitles for the movie are in English.
b. to come
Esta comida viene ya hecha.This food comes pre-made.
a. to come
¡Ya mismo viene la Navidad!Christmas is coming soon!
b. to come up
Tu cumpleaños viene ya mismo.Your birthday is coming up soon.
a. to get
Me viene sueño en el trabajo después de almorzar.I get drowsy at work after having lunch.
A nosotros nos vino una gripe terrible.We got a terrible flu.
a. to come
Lo mejor está por venir.The best is yet to come.
Ahora viene la escena que me gusta.The scene I like is coming up.
b. next (followed by a timeframe)
La semana que viene estaré trabajando desde casa.I'll be working from home next week.
El año que viene visitaremos Japón.Next year we're traveling to Japan.
a. to look
¿Me viene bien este gorro?Does this hat look good on me?
b. to suit
Ese color no te viene muy bien.That color doesn't really suit you.
a. to be
Creo que este vestido me viene muy grande.I think this dress is too big on me.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Unas largas vacaciones ahora me vendrían bien.A long vacation now would do me nicely.
Estas botas me vendrán bien cuando haya mucha nieve.These boots will come in handy when it's very snowy.
a. to be
Este fin de semana me viene un poco mal.This weekend isn't too good for me.
b. to work for
¿Te viene bien reunirnos mañana a las 4 pm?Does meeting at 4 pm tomorrow work for you?
c. to suit
¿Te viene bien encontrarnos en el restaurante?Does meeting at the restaurant suit you?
a. to mean
¿A qué vienes con decir eso?What do you mean by that?
a. to pick up
Avísale a Sofía que sus amigas han venido por ella.Tell Sofia her friends have come to pick her up.
b.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¿Vino el mensajero a por el contrato?Has the messenger been to pick up the contract?
Venimos a por el perro.We're here to collect the dog.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. to come in
Ellos vinieron cantando.They came in singing.
a. to come
Ella vino cansada del trabajo.She came back from work tired.
venirse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to come
Se vino una tormenta mientras nadábamos en la playa.A storm came upon us when we were swimming at the beach.
El perro se vino sin ser llamado.The dog came without being called.
a. to come back
Se vino solo de la fiesta.He came back from the party alone.
18.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(sexual)
a. to come
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Se vino en tan solo unos minutos.She came in just a few minutes.
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