Using ESTAR for Location

We have already studied the present tense conjugation of ESTAR and how to use ESTAR with adjectives. Another important use of ESTAR is to indicate location.

This lesson:
  • Explains how to use ESTAR to indicate the location of something or someone
When you complete this lesson, you will:
  • be able to say where people and things are located

 Learning Objective:

To Know How to Tell Where Things Are with ESTAR

¿Dónde?

As you know, DÓNDE means “where.”

In Spanish, ESTAR is used to ask and tell where something is.

Consider the following examples.

PREGUNTA RESPUESTA
¿Dónde estás?
Estoy en mi casa.
¿Dónde está el libro de texto?
Está en mi mochila.
¿Dónde están los estudiantes?
Están en clase.

Notice that the word EN follows ESTAR in each example above.

Depending on the context, EN can mean “in,” “on,” or “at” in English.

Consider the examples below.

SPANISH ENGLISH
Estamos en California.
We are in Calfifornia.
Mi teléfono está en la mesa.
My phone is on the table.
Los niños están en casa.
The boys are at home.

Use EN for “at” when telling a location, but use A for “at” when telling time.

SPANISH ENGLISH
Están en el banco.
They are at the bank.
La clase es a las dos.
The class is at two o’clock.

Aquí, Allí, and Allá

ESTAR can be used to indicate location without EN when using the following words.

SPANISH ENGLISH EXAMPLE
aquí
here
Estamos aquí.
allí
over there
Está allí.
allá
(way) over there
Están allá.

As in English, the use of these words is relative (depending on the perspective of the speaker).

A practicar

Write complete sentences using the elements provided. Follow the example.

SENTENCE ELEMENTS COMPLETE SENTENCES
mi carro / estar / el estacionamiento
Mi carro está en el estacionamiento.
su primo / estar / allí
______________________________
el cuaderno / estar / la mesa
______________________________
Las Vegas / estar / Nevada
______________________________
nosotros / estar / aquí
______________________________
ella / estar / su cama
______________________________
nosotras / estar / la estación del tren
______________________________
la computadora / estar / el escritorio
______________________________

Practice saying these sentences out loud. 

Try telling where your family members are or where things are in your room, etc.

If you can use ESTAR to ask and tell where people and things are, you are ready for the next lesson. 

Thank you for studying with us!

This lesson is part of Chapter 2, Module 5.

2.5 is called ESTAR and includes the following lessons:

For a full list of our chapters, modules, and lessons, consult our:

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