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"Este" is a form of "este", a noun which is often translated as "east". "Estés" is a form of "estar", a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "este" and "estés" below.
el este, este(
ehs
-
teh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. east
La "E" en la brújula significa "este".The "E" on the compass means "east."
a. east
La ventana de nuestra habitación daba hacia el este.Our bedroom window opened to the east.
a. east
Los que viven en el este de la ciudad tienen un acento diferente a los demás.The people who live in the city's east have a different accent compared to the rest.
a. east wind
El este trajo una plaga de langostas.The east wind brought with it a plague of locusts.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. eastern
La zona este de la ciudad tiene unos restaurantes excelentes.The eastern part of the city has some excellent restaurants.
b. east
El lado este de la bahía es el lugar perfecto para nadar.The east side of the bay is the perfect place for swimming.
c. easterly
Es mejor ir en dirección este si quieres evitar el bosque.It's better to go in an easterly direction if you want to stay clear of the forest.
a. this
Este año acabo la universidad.I finish university this year.
Esta libreta no es mía.This notebook isn't mine.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. this
Este no es el plato que pedí.This is not the meal I ordered.
Esta no es la camisa que quería.This is not the shirt I wanted.
b. this one
Me voy a llevar este; el gorro chico no me queda.I'm going to take this one; the small hat doesn't fit me.
¿Qué falda te gusta más? - Esta es muy bonita.Which skirt do you like better? - This one is really pretty.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
interjection
a. um
¿A qué hora llega tu jefe? - Este, no estoy segura.What time does your boss arrive? - Um, I'm not sure.
b. er
¿Te gusta mi nuevo corte de cabello? - Este, claro que sí.Do you like my new haircut? - Er, of course.
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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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