One of our 'estimada alumnas' (esteemed students) was kind enough to ask the following questions about - Esta or Está and Qué or Que
Here is a mini-lesson.
Que with or without an accent usually means 'that' or 'what'.
Qué with the accent is used in the interrogative when it is a question.
Example: ¿Qué es esto? What is this? But 'No sé que es'. I don't know what it is. No accent.
Está can mean is or are and comes from the verb infinitive 'estar' - one of two ways of saying 'to be'
in Spanish. Example: ¿Dónde está? - Where is he/she/it?
Esta without this accent is not a verb, but rather a demonstrative.
Example: Esta es la última canción que canto para tí = This is the last song I sing for you.
Sorry to be so melodramatic. I used to give seranades with that song back in the day.
Bear in mind that stress is also different. Está is pronounced (s TAH) with the stress on the second syllable whereas Esta is pronounced (S tah) with the stress on the first syllable.
I hope this helps. Ojalá que esta explicación te ayude. (I hope this explanation helps you) Alright? (¿Está bien?)
Un fuerte abrazo - A strong hug
Marcos
