"Esta" and "están" are both forms of the verb "estar," which means "to be" in Spanish. However, they differ in several important ways:
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Form and Usage:
- Esta: This is a singular, feminine form of the demonstrative adjective "este" (this). It is used to say "this" when referring to a feminine noun. For example, "Esta casa" means "This house."
- Están: This is the third person plural form of the verb "estar" in the present tense. It means "they are" or "you all are." For example, "Ellos están cansados" means "They are tired."
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Grammatical Role:
- Esta functions as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate proximity or specificity.
- Están functions as a verb, indicating the state or condition of the subject.
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Gender and Number:
- Esta is specifically feminine and singular.
- Están is plural, used for groups of people or things.
In summary, "esta" is a demonstrative adjective modifying feminine nouns, while "están" is a verb form denoting the state of being for plural subjects.
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