The Spanish verb estar has many idiomatic expressions associated with it. Idioms are phrases or sentences that do not translate directly from one language to another. A common example in English is ‘ it’s raining cats and dogs.’ Idioms developed over time in languages and sometimes the origin of them is known and other times it is unknown. They are a colourful part of any language and should be learned along with regular vocabulary and grammar to become a fluent speaker. Here are some of the more common idioms with estar:
estar de viaje to be travelling
estar de vacaciones to be on vacation
estar de negocios to be somewhere on business
estar de moda to be in fashion/style
estar en forma to be in shape
estar de acuerdo to be in agreement
estar de jefe to be the acting boss
estar en un lío to be in a mess/trouble
estar de rodillas to be kneeling
estar de pie to be standing
estar de buen/mal humor to be in a good/bad mood
Being mindful when using adjectives with estar to agree your adjective with your noun!
estar hecho/a polvo to be worn out
estar hecho/a una sopa to be soaking wet
estar apurado/a to be in a hurry
