What does estar translate to?

"Estar" in Spanish can translate to "to be" in English. However, it's a bit more nuanced than that. While "ser" is also translated to "to be", "estar" focuses on temporary states, conditions, and locations. Here's a breakdown:

"Estar" is used for:

* Location: "Estoy en casa" (I am at home).

* Physical and emotional states: "Estoy cansado" (I am tired), "Estoy feliz" (I am happy).

* Temporary conditions: "El agua está caliente" (The water is hot), "Estoy enfermo" (I am sick).

* Progressive tenses: "Estoy hablando" (I am talking).

"Ser" is used for:

* Permanent characteristics: "Soy alto" (I am tall), "Ella es doctora" (She is a doctor).

* Identity: "Soy americano" (I am American).

* Time and date: "Es mediodía" (It is noon), "Es lunes" (It is Monday).

It's important to remember that "ser" and "estar" are not always interchangeable. To understand the proper usage, you need to consider the context and the nature of the "being" you're describing.