Spanish
Vocab Builder for commonly used words in Spanish.
estar derecho
The Spanish phrase 'estar derecho' is directly translated to English as 'stand straight'. It is composed of the verb 'estar', which indicates state or condition, and the adjective 'derecho', meaning straight or upright. This phrase can be used in various contexts involving body posture, behavior or even moral standards. For instance, if you're speaking about body posture, 'estar derecho' suggests maintaining an upright position, not slumping or leaning. In a broader metaphorical or symbolic context, 'estar derecho' might refer to acting correctly or morally upright according to social norms or personal beliefs.
estar desocupado
The term 'estar desocupado' does not mean being careless in English. Instead, it translates to 'be unoccupied' or 'be idle'. It implies one is not busy and has no tasks or activities to do, not that one is not paying enough attention or showing enough care or concern, which would describe being careless.
estar desolado
The Spanish phrase 'estar desolado' translates to 'to be desolate' in English. 'Estar' is a verb in Spanish that broadly means 'to be'. It is used in various contexts, especially to describe conditional and temporary states. 'Desolado', on the other hand, is an adjective which means 'desolate'. It is derived from the verb 'desolar' which means 'to devastate' or 'to lay waste'. Hence, 'estar desolado' is an expression used to describe a state of being desolate or devastated, which could refer to a physical place, but most often refers to a state of feeling or emotion.
estar distraído
The Spanish phrase 'estar distraído' translates to 'being distracted' in English. It is generally used to describe a state of not paying attention to what one should be or usually is attentive to. This could be caused by a lack of interest in the present activity or preoccupation with other thoughts or happenings.
Example sentences with estar distraído →estar el agua limpia
The Spanish phrase 'estar el agua limpia' translates to 'be clean water' in English. This is usually used in the context of water being in a clean state or condition. For instance, it may be used to describe a river, lake, or any other body of water that is clear, unpolluted, and safe for consumption or use. Also, it implies that the water is currently in a clean state, which signifies the temporary attribute of the 'estar' verb in Spanish. The entire phrase combines the use of a verb 'estar' which denotes a temporary state of being, with descriptors for water 'el agua' and cleanliness 'limpia'.
Example sentences with estar el agua limpia →estar embarazada
The term 'estar embarazada' in Spanish directly translates to 'being pregnant' in English. It is used to indicate that a woman is carrying an unborn child in her uterus. The verb 'estar' implies a temporary state in Spanish, so the phrase translates to 'being pregnant', emphasizing the temporary state of pregnancy.
estar en auge
'Estar en auge' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'to be booming' in English. This phrase is often used to describe a situation, business, or trend that is rapidly growing, expanding or becoming very popular. It is commonly used in economy and business contexts to indicate that something is at the peak of its success or progress. However, it can also be used in general conversations to depict anything that is currently thriving or in its prime time.
Example sentences with estar en auge →estar en buenas condiciones
The Spanish phrase 'estar en buenas condiciones' translates to 'being in good condition' in English. It is often used to describe the state or quality of an object, person's health, or situation. For example, a used car or a second-hand item in good working order may 'estar en buenas condiciones'. Alternatively, it can describe a person who is 'in good health' or a project or task that is 'on track' or progressing well.
estar en coma
The phrase 'estar en coma' in Spanish translates to 'being in a coma' in English. It is used to describe the state of a person who is unconscious for a prolonged period, typically as a result of illness or injury. In this non-responsive state, the person is alive but is not able to interact with their surroundings or respond to stimuli. The term 'coma' is borrowed directly from the Greek word 'koma', meaning deep sleep.
Example sentences with estar en coma →estar en conserva
The Spanish phrase 'estar en conserva' translates to 'being preserved' in English. This phrase is often used in the context of food and refers to the process of preparing and storing food in a way (often in a jar or a can) to significantly extend its shelf life. It might also metaphorically suggest maintaining or keeping something in an unchanged state.
estar en crecimiento
The Spanish phrase 'estar en crecimiento' translates to 'to be growing' in English. It is commonly used to describe something or someone that is actively growing or experiencing growth. This could be used in various contexts such as in business, where one could say their business is 'estar en crecimiento' or 'growing'. The phrase is a demonstration of the verb 'estar', which in Spanish linguistics, is generally utilized when referring to temporary conditions or states, and 'crecimiento', which means growth.
Example sentences with estar en crecimiento →estar en crisis
The Spanish phrase 'estar en crisis' translates to 'being in crisis' in English. This phrase applies to multifaceted situations including economic downturns, personal turmoil, mental health strain and societal disruption. Consequently, usage varies greatly depending on context and circumstance.
Example sentences with estar en crisis →estar en familia
'Estar en familia' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'being in family' in English. It is used to convey the sense of togetherness or unity among family members. It denotes spending quality time or being together with one's family, and often implies a feeling of comfort, love, and affection within the family unit. This phrase is widely used in both formal and informal contexts in Spanish conversations.
estar en guerra
The Spanish phrase 'estar en guerra' is translated into English as 'to be at war'. This phrase is often used to depict a state of open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations, or a period of such conflict. It can also be used metaphorically to express a condition of rivalry, as in competition or conflict between persons, groups, or concepts.
Example sentences with estar en guerra →estar en huelga
The Spanish phrase 'estar en huelga' translates to 'be on strike' in English. This phrase is used when workers refuse to work due to unsatisfactory conditions. It is generally a form of protest aimed at achieving certain objectives such as improved wages, better working conditions, or other work-related benefits.
estar en la ruina
'Estar en la ruina' is a Spanish phrase which translates literally to 'to be in ruin' in English. It is used metaphorically to indicate serious financial trouble or bankruptcy. Essentially, it refers to a state of being in poor condition or in a degraded state. It can apply to physical structures (like buildings) or to abstract concepts (like a person's financial state or a company's status).
Example sentences with estar en la ruina →estar en libertad bajo fianza
'Estar en libertad bajo fianza' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'on bail' in English. It's a legal term used to describe the conditional release of a defendant with the promise that they will return for court dates. This phrase is often utilized in legal situations where an individual has been arrested and a certain amount of money is paid to secure their temporary release from police custody. The phrase contains three main words: 'estar' which means 'to be', 'libertad' which means 'freedom' and 'fianza' which refers to 'bail' or a security deposit.
Example sentences with estar en libertad bajo fianza →estar en libertad provisional
The phrase 'estar en libertad provisional' in Spanish translates to 'to be on provisional release' in English. This phrase is typically used in legal context and refers to a situation where a person is given temporary freedom until their next court appearance or until the trial is over. This might occur if the person arrested can provide assurance, usually financial, that they will show up in court and not leave the area. Thus, they are allowed certain freedom under temporary basis.
Example sentences with estar en libertad provisional →estar en libertad vigilada
The Spanish phrase 'estar en libertad vigilada' translates to 'being on probation' in English. Probation is a legal term referring to the status of a person who is conditionally released into the community by the courts, typically under supervision, after serving time in prison. In this circumstance, the individual is expected to follow certain restrictions and is subject to periodic check-ins with probation officers to ensure compliance.
Example sentences with estar en libertad vigilada →estar en malas condiciones
The Spanish phrase 'estar en malas condiciones' translates to 'being in bad condition' in English. It is used to describe something or someone's poor or deteriorating physical state, often in reference to an object, a place or a person's health. Similarly, it can indicate inappropriate or unfavorable circumstances or conditions, such as a tough situation or a difficult period of time.
estar en números rojos
The phrase 'estar en números rojos' in Spanish translates to 'to be in the red' in English. It is an idiomatic expression typically used in financial contexts. If a person, company, or organization is 'en números rojos', it means they are in debt or experiencing financial loss. Their accounts are negative, figuratively indicated by the red color often used in account books and financial statements to highlight losses or negative amounts.
estar en obras
The Spanish phrase 'estar en obras' is an idiomatic expression that generally means 'to be in works'. It is commonly used to refer to a situation, place, or thing that is currently under construction, renovation, or significant change. For instance, it could refer to a building that is currently undergoing construction, a project that is in progress, or a life situation that is in the process of transformation.
Example sentences with estar en obras →estar en paro
The Spanish phrase 'estar en paro' translates to 'being unemployed' in English. This phrase is often used in Spain to describe a state of joblessness. It's important to know that in Latin American countries, other terms may be used for the same concept. This phrase is commonly used in context in various aspects including casual conversation or formal settings.
estar en periodo de prueba
The Spanish phrase 'estar en periodo de prueba' translates to 'to be in a trial period' in English. It is often used in the context of employment or any situation where someone or something is being tested for a certain period before a final decision is made. For instance, a new employee might be on a trial period, or you might try a software on a trial period before deciding to purchase it.
estar en quiebra
The Spanish phrase 'estar en quiebra' translates to 'being bankrupt' in English. This particular phrase is often used in business or financial contexts to indicate that a person or organization is unable to repay outstanding debts due to lack of funds. It conveys a state of financial insolvency and is usually a legal declaration made by an entity to acknowledge that they cannot meet financial obligations to their creditors. Understanding such terms can be very helpful in effectively communicating around topics related to finance, economy, or business.
estar en un proceso de selección (de personal)
The Spanish phrase 'estar en un proceso de selección (de personal)' translates to 'be in a selection process (of personnel)' in English. It's used in a business or organizational context, generally pertaining to the process of choosing a suitable candidate from a pool of applicants for a job or position. It's a formal phrase often used in human resources activities, job adverts or interviews. This phrase incorporates various stages like screening, shortlisting, assessing and finally selecting the appropriate candidate.
estar en urgencias
The Spanish phrase 'estar en urgencias' translates to 'being in emergency' in English. This phrase is generally used in a medical setting to indicate a state of emergency or immediate medical need. It can refer to personally being in such a state, or can be used to describe another person or situation. It can be used literally, for actual medical emergencies, or figuratively, to express a state of urgent need or crisis. To use it in a context, someone might say 'Mi hermano está en urgencias' which means 'My brother is in emergency.'
estar enamorado
The phrase 'estar enamorado' in Spanish translates to 'being in love' in English. It is most commonly used to express romantic sentiment towards someone, reflecting deep affection and strong admiration for that person. It's an expression of intense emotional attachment characterized by passion, intimacy, and commitment.
estar enfadado
The phrase 'estar enfadado' translates to 'being angry' in English. This is a common phrase used to describe someone's emotional state in Spanish. It is formed by the verb 'estar', meaning 'to be' in a temporary way (used for conditions, locations, emotions, etc.), coupled with the adjective 'enfadado', which means 'angry'. This phrase possesses an important nuance - it suggests a temporary condition, not a permanent state, fostering the idea that emotions change and are not fixed states of being.
estar enfermo
The Spanish phrase 'estar enfermo' translates to 'to be sick' in English. 'Estar' is a verb that means 'to be' and is used to denote temporary states or conditions. 'Enfermo' is an adjective that means 'sick'. This phrase is used to express the current health condition of a person which may change over time. One might say 'Yo estoy enfermo' to convey 'I am sick'. Remember, 'estar' is used for transient states of being unlike 'ser' which is used for permanent states and intrinsic qualities.
Example sentences with estar enfermo →