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Spanish Grammar. What is the difference between estas and esta in these examples?

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Que estas haciendo?
Que esta haciendo?

I don't understand how to use each one correctly because don't the both mean the same thing? "What are you doing?" Best answer to explain how to use esta and estas.

"Estás" is for the first person singular in the informal version of "you" (tú/vos).

"Está" is for the first person singular in the formal version of "you" (usted), but it also works for "he/she/it" (él/ella).

"Tú/vos" is used for like friends, acquaintances, family members while "usted" is used in front of superiority and to be gentlemanlike/ladylike.

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  1. Boss Marley Said,

    estas would be what are you doing. esta would be what is it doing or if already talking about someone what is that person doing. like someone was like i have to get to my dog then you could ask the second one. This is what i think.
    References :

  2. eli1201 Said,

    que estas haciendo? = what are you doing?(in the 'tu' form)
    que esta haciendo?= what are you doing? (asking with respect, it's use when talking to grown ups in the 'usted' form) or it can be…what is he/she doing?(without using the he/she)
    References :
    n.s.s.

  3. Bee C Said,

    Okay well when you use estas, its in the tu form,
    which is in the second person and is used directly at someone.

    While esta could either mean you are directly talking to an adult,
    its more formal in a way and respectful, it is also used in this way in the third person saying what is he or she doing.
    References :

  4. Samuel B. Said,

    "Estás" is for the first person singular in the informal version of "you" (tú/vos).

    "Está" is for the first person singular in the formal version of "you" (usted), but it also works for "he/she/it" (él/ella).

    "Tú/vos" is used for like friends, acquaintances, family members while "usted" is used in front of superiority and to be gentlemanlike/ladylike.
    References :
    have learned Spanish

  5. Sydney Said,

    the word estas is the tu (you, informal) form of the verb estar.
    esta is the he, she, it form of the word. this can be used for location and describing people other than yourself.
    References :

  6. Danielle Said,

    when you use estas it is what you (tu) are doind temporarilly. and esta is what he/she/formal is doing temporarilly. the verb estar means to be and is a temporary verb that deals with things such as location, opposed to ser which has the same meaning but permanent.

    estar= estoy, estas, esta, estamos, estais, estan
    ser=soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son
    References :

  7. Davcast D Said,

    que estas haciendo? is personal is like what is your name? the question is for you and que esta haciendo? is like what is her name? can you see the difference

    1.que estas haceiendo? estoy haciendo MI tarea
    1.you can see the the (MI) is like my homework
    2.que esta haciendo? esta haciendo SU tarea
    2.you can see (SU) is like her homework

    espero te ayude mi respuesta saludos desde mexico
    References :

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