Spanish: Estar y IrBy Allyssa Del Rosario

Estar – to beWe all learned that ser also means to be. The difference is that ser is used when

talking about describing something that is something you can’t change or nearly permanent. For example, having brown, being tall, or having blue eyes.

On the other hand, estar is used when describing where and how you temporarily are. You can use this verb whenever describing that you’re tired, happy, sad, sick, etc.

Different forms of EstarYo estoyTú estásUsted, él, ella está

Nosotros (as) estamosVosotros(as) estáisUstedes, ellas, ellos están

*Don’t forget the accent marks!*

Examples of EstarYo estoyYo estoy muy bien porque estoy emocionado para el examen! (Iam very well because I am excited for the exam!)Tú estás Tú estás en a el gimnasio. (You are in the gym)Usted/Él/Ella estáElla está deprimida. (She is depressed)Nosotros(as) estamosTenemos que descansar. Nosotros estamos muy cansado. (Wehave to rest. We are very tired)Vosotros(as) estáisVosotras estáis nervioso porque tenéis el examen en ciencias.(She is nervous because she has the exam in science)Ustedes/Éllos/Ellas estanUstedes estan contento. (You are happy)

Ir – to goUsing ir allows you to say where you are going/what you are going to do (future).1) Use Ir + a when talking about someone going to a certain place.2) Use Ir + a + verb when talking in future tense, they’re going to go somewhere, etc.3) When a is followed by the word el, combine to form al! If a is followed by la, keep it that

way!4) To ask where someone is going use ¿A donde …?

Different forms of IrYo voy

Tú vas

Usted, él, ella va

Nosotros (as) vamos

Vosotros(as) vais

Ustedes, ellas, ellos van

Examples of Ir(Use Ir + a + place when talking about someone

going to a certain place.) Yo voy a la biblioteca porque tengo que estudiar.Tú vas a al gimnasio porque tengo que correr y jugar

al fútbal.Ellas van a al baño.

(Use Ir + a + verb when talking in future tense, they’re going to go somewhere, etc.)

Ellos van a escuchar música.Nosotros vamos a hablar por teléfono.

(To ask where someone is going use ¿A donde …? (you can add time, persons, etc.)

¿A donde vas?¿A donde vamos?¿A donde van a las siete y media?