Introduction
This article explains how to form and use questions with the verb está, a common form of estar used with he, she, it, and usted. You will learn everyday examples, useful vocabulary, beginner tips, and common mistakes in clear English with Spanish sample sentences you can read, say, and practice right away.
What is está and when to use it
The verb estar means to be in a temporary state, location, or condition. The form está is the third person singular present: he is, she is, it is, or you are (formal). Use está for short-term situations, physical locations, feelings, and progressive actions.
Examples of contexts where you would use está include asking where someone is, how someone feels, whether something is ready, and what someone is doing at the moment.
Basic question structures with está
Here are three simple patterns for forming questions with está that beginners can memorize and use.
Yes/no question: ¿Está + subject + complement?
Information question with question word: ¿Question word + está + subject + complement?
Progressive question: ¿Qué + está + subject + haciendo?
Yes/No questions using está
Yes/no questions are the easiest for beginners. You can answer with sí or no, plus a short phrase. Use these in everyday interactions like stores, offices, or when checking on someone.
Example: ¿Está listo el pedido?
Translation: Is the order ready?
Example: ¿Está abierto el restaurante?
Translation: Is the restaurant open?
Example: ¿Está Ana en casa?
Translation: Is Ana at home?
Tip: When asking about availability or readiness, use listo/a for ready or abierto/a for open. For people, use en + place to ask location.
Polite questions using usted
When speaking formally to one person, use the subject implied by está with usted. English speakers often leave the subject out in Spanish; it is understood from context.
Example: ¿Está usted disponible mañana?
Translation: Are you available tomorrow?
Example: ¿Está la mesa reservada a nombre de López?
Translation: Is the table reserved under the name López?
Information questions with question words
To get specific details, add question words like dónde, cuándo, por qué, cómo, and qué. These help you ask about location, time, reason, manner, or identity.
Dónde (where): ¿Dónde está + subject?
Example: ¿Dónde está la estación de metro?
Translation: Where is the subway station?
Cuándo (when): ¿Cuándo está + event?
Example: ¿Cuándo está la reunión?
Translation: When is the meeting?
Por qué (why): ¿Por qué está + subject + adjective/verb?
Example: ¿Por qué está cerrada la puerta?
Translation: Why is the door closed?
Cómodo tip: Use cuál when choosing: ¿Cuál está disponible? means Which one is available?
Practical beginner examples: location and time
These are realistic sentences you might need while traveling, commuting, or asking for services.
Example: ¿Dónde está el baño?
Translation: Where is the bathroom?
Example: ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús?
Translation: Where is the bus stop?
Example: ¿Cuándo está el próximo autobús?
Translation: When is the next bus?
Example: ¿Dónde está la oficina de información?
Translation: Where is the information desk?
Questions about feelings and states
Use está to ask how someone is feeling or their condition. These are important for polite conversation and basic care situations.
Common adjectives: bien (well), mal (bad), cansado/a (tired), enfermo/a (sick), contento/a (happy).
Example: ¿Cómo está usted?
Translation: How are you? (formal)
Example: ¿Está bien tu mamá?
Translation: Is your mother okay?
Example: ¿Está cansado después del viaje?
Translation: Are you tired after the trip?
Using está with locations in short dialogues
Short dialogues help beginners see how native speakers use these questions naturally.
Dialogue example 1:
—¿Está el doctor?
—Sí, está en la sala 3.
Translation: Is the doctor here? —Yes, he is in room 3.
Dialogue example 2:
—¿Está la llave en la mesa?
—No, no está ahí.
Translation: Is the key on the table? —No, it is not there.
Progressive actions: ¿Qué está haciendo?
To ask what someone is doing right now, use the present progressive with estar + gerund. For third person or usted, start with ¿Qué está + subject + haciendo?
Example: ¿Qué está haciendo María?
Translation: What is María doing?
Short reply: Está leyendo un libro.
Translation: She is reading a book.
Example in service context: ¿Qué está haciendo el técnico?
Translation: What is the technician doing?
Example for a menu or kitchen: ¿Qué está preparando el chef?
Translation: What is the chef preparing?
Common verbs in progressive forms
Useful gerunds beginners will see: leyendo (reading), comiendo (eating), trabajando (working), durmiendo (sleeping), hablando (talking).
Example: ¿Está trabajando el señor García?
Translation: Is Mr. García working?
Tip: Use estar + gerund to emphasize an action happening now, not permanent facts.
Practical vocabulary and short phrases
Here are words and mini-phrases tied to questions with está that beginners should memorize.
la estación — station
el baño — bathroom
la parada — stop
la reunión — meeting
listo/lista — ready
abierto/abierta — open
cerrado/cerrada — closed
en casa — at home
en la oficina — in the office
disponible — available
Mini practice set for learners
Practice these simple question-and-answer pairs aloud to build confidence.
¿Dónde está el hospital?
Está a dos cuadras.
¿Está lista la mesa?
Sí, está lista.
¿Está ocupado el baño?
No, no está ocupado.
¿Qué está haciendo Juan?
Está estudiando.
¿Está cansada tu hermana?
Sí, está muy cansada.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners often confuse ser and estar. Remember that está refers to temporary states or locations. Do not use está for permanent identity or origin. For example, do not say ¿Está Maria de México? for origin; use ser in that case.
Mistake: Using the wrong gender agreement after estar. Adjectives must match the subject: Está cansado for a man, Está cansada for a woman.
Mistake: Leaving out question marks or intonation in writing. Spanish questions require inverted question marks at the start when writing. In conversation, raise your intonation at the end.
Quick tips for faster learning
Practice these short, practical questions when you travel, order food, or ask for directions. Memorize common complements like en + place and simple adjectives. Record yourself asking and answering a few of the mini practice pairs to improve listening and speaking.
Tip: When in doubt about location, start with ¿Dónde está…?. It works in most real-life situations.
Conclusion
Questions made with está are essential for everyday Spanish. Focus on yes/no forms, information questions with dónde/cuándo/por qué/cómo, and progressive questions using haciendo. Memorize key vocabulary, practice short dialogues, and avoid common errors such as mixing ser and estar or mismatching adjective gender. These practical examples will help you ask clear, useful questions right away.
