esté/estés/esté/estemos/estén
Subjunctive of Estar
These present subjunctive forms describe states, locations and conditions in constructions that call for this mood. Estar does not require a temporary situation, and the subjunctive does not always make it uncertain.
How It Works
The verb 'estar' is irregular in the present subjunctive. Its forms are essential for expressing conditions, locations, and feelings within clauses that require the subjunctive mood.
Conjugation:
- (yo) esté
- (tú) estés
- (él/ella/usted) esté
- (nosotros/as) estemos
- (vosotros/as) estéis
- (ellos/ellas/ustedes) estén
Key Uses:
The forms occur in constructions expressing wishes, doubt, evaluation and other meanings. An impersonal main clause alone does not require the subjunctive: Es evidente que está aquí uses the indicative. The fundamental distinction between ser vs. estar still applies: estar commonly presents a state or locates a person or thing. Duration alone does not decide the choice: Está muerto is not temporary. Events can be located with ser, as in La reunión es aquí.
1. Wishes and Hopes: After verbs like 'querer' (to want) or 'esperar' (to hope).
- Espero que estés contento con el resultado. (I hope that you are happy with the result.)
2. Emotions: After expressions of emotion like 'me alegra que' (it makes me happy that) or 'siento que' (I'm sorry that).
- Me alegra que estemos todos juntos. (I'm happy that we are all together.)
3. Doubt and Denial: After expressions of doubt like 'dudo que' (I doubt that) or 'no creo que' (I don't believe that).
- No creo que la tienda esté abierta. (I don't think the store is open.)
4. Impersonal Expressions: After phrases like 'es posible que' (it's possible that) or 'es importante que' (it's important that).
- Es necesario que el paquete esté aquí mañana. (It's necessary that the package is here tomorrow.)
5. Future Actions with Conjunctions: With conjunctions like 'cuando' (when) if the action has not yet occurred.
- Cuando estés en la ciudad, avísame. (When you are in the city, let me know.)
Meaning And Mood
Me sorprende que no estés cansado reacts to a condition the speaker accepts; it need not express doubt about it. For a wish, Espero que estés bien is the ordinary model. Esperar can also express an expectation, so choose mood with the intended meaning and context, not merely the presence of que.
Examples (5)
- Espero que estés bien.
I hope you are well.
Word by Word: I hope that you are well.
- Dudo que el restaurante esté abierto ahora.
I doubt the restaurant is open now.
Word by Word: I doubt that the restaurant is open now.
- Es importante que estemos listos a las cinco.
It's important that we are ready at five.
Word by Word: It is important that we are ready at five.
- Me sorprende que no estés cansado.
It surprises me that you aren't tired.
Word by Word: To me it surprises that not you are tired.
Me sorprende que expresses a reaction to the addressee’s not being tired, which the speaker can accept as fact. Estés is subjunctive after this expression of surprise.
- Cuando estés en Madrid, llámame.
When you are in Madrid, call me.
Word by Word: When you are in Madrid, call me.
'Cuando' is used with the subjunctive here because it refers to a future, not-yet-realized event.
Common Mistakes
Confusing 'esté' (from estar) with 'sea' (from ser).
Me sorprende que la oficina sea tan lejos.Me sorprende que la oficina esté tan lejos.For the location of the office, use estar: la oficina esté tan lejos. This does not extend to every location expression; the location of an event can instead use ser.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the subjunctive forms of 'estar' (esté, estés, etc.), you first need to be familiar with the indicative present tense of 'estar' and the general conjugation rules for the present subjunctive of -AR verbs. Additionally, knowing how 'estar' is used to describe states and conditions provides the necessary context for using these subjunctive forms correctly.
- -e/-es/-e/-emos/-éis/-enPresent Subjunctive -AR
The subjunctive of 'estar' follows the standard -AR subjunctive endings, though it is irregular due to the accent marks on most forms.
Level 3 - estar + AdjectiveEstar for Conditions
The subjunctive of 'estar' is frequently used in clauses expressing emotions or conditions, which are primary functions of the verb.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- sea/seas/sea/seamos/seanSubjunctive of Ser
This is the subjunctive form of 'ser'. It's the direct counterpart to 'esté'. You must choose between them based on the ser vs. estar rules for characteristics vs. conditions/locations.
Level 3 - ser / estarSer vs. Estar Basics
Ser and estar can present different kinds of predication. Do not reduce their choice to permanent versus temporary: location of a person or thing commonly uses estar, while an event can use ser. The distinction remains in the subjunctive.
Level 1 - estoy/estás/está/estamos/estánEstar Present Tense
These are the present indicative forms of 'estar'. Understanding them helps you recognize situations where you need to switch to the subjunctive forms ('esté', 'estés', etc.) due to doubt, emotion, or other triggers.
Foundations - espero que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Hope
For a wish about someone’s well-being, Espero que estés bien is the ordinary present-subjunctive model. Esperar also has expectation readings, so the full construction and meaning matter.
Level 3 - dudo que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Doubt
Another common subjunctive trigger. 'Dudo que' introduces uncertainty, making it a perfect context for using 'esté' to talk about a location or state you are not sure about.
Level 3 - es importante que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Importance
Impersonal expressions of importance, necessity, or possibility are key triggers for the subjunctive. 'Es importante que' often precedes 'esté' to state the importance of a certain condition or location.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice esté/estés/esté/estemos/estén in Bubblegum
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