Estar: Idiomatic Expressions

VIPERSPANISH: Twelve idiomatic expressions using the verb estar

In Spanish, there are two verbs which are translated as "to be."  Any one with an elementary knowledge of the language knows those verbs are "estar" and "ser."  Many future blogs will deal with these two verbs and their usage.  Today, we will learn a few idiomatic expressions that can be made using the verb "estar."  These are expressions that are commonly used in both languages, but students of the Spanish language have trouble with coming up with the Spanish equivalent.  The following list of verbs are created by using the verb estar followed by a few words to complete the expression

• To be fashionable - estar de moda
• To be dressed fashionably - estar a la moda
• To be in a good mood - estar de buen humor
• To be in a bad mood - estar de mal humor
• to be in agreement with - estar de acuerdo con
• to feel like - estar con ganas de 
• to be running behind - estar atrasado/a
• to be fed up with - estar harto/a
• to be on the right track - estar en lo cierto
• to have a mental blank - estar en blanco
• to be on vacation - estar de vacaciones
• to be back - estar de regreso

And there are twelve simple expressions that can be made with the verb estar.  Here are some sample sentences:

• No tengo tiempo, estoy atrasado.  -  I don't have time, I'm behind.
• Cada vez que lo veo, está de mal humor.  -  Every time I see him, he's in a bad mood.N
• No estamos de acuerdo con tus ideas.  - We do not agree with your ideas.
• Mírate, estás a la moda. -  Look at you, you're dressed fashionably.
• Mis amigos están con ganas de tomar alcohol.  -  My friends feel like drinking alcohol.

That's all for today!  Check back next Thursday for more Spanish lessons.  Have a great day!  Adiós...