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"Sala" is a form of "sala", a noun which is often translated as "living room". "Estar" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "sala" and "estar" below.
la sala(
sah
-
lah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. living room
Compramos un sofá nuevo para la sala.We bought a new sofa for the living room.
b. sitting room
Tomamos el té en la sala mientras lo esperábamos.We had tea in the sitting room while we waited for him.
c. room
Vamos a pintar esa sala de verde.We're going to paint that room green.
a. courtroom
Mi abogado me esperó en la sala.My lawyer waited for me at the courtroom.
b. ward
Tuvimos que ir a la sala de maternidad para verla.We had to go to the maternity ward to visit her.
c. movie theater
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
La película se estrenó en todas las salas de la ciudad.The movie was released in all the movie theaters in town.
d. cinema
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
¿Sabes en qué salas ponen la película?Do you know which cinemas are showing the film?
e. hall
Van a actuar en la sala de conciertos.They are going to perform in the concert hall.
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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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