Pronunciation: [ˈɛstən] (IPA) 
The Spanish word "estan" is spelled with the letter "e" followed by "s, t, a, and n". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /esˈtan/. The consonants "s" and "t" are pronounced as in English, with an "s" sound and a "t" sound respectively. The vowel "a" is pronounced as "ah" and the consonant "n" as "n". "Estan" is the third person plural form of the verb "estar", meaning "they are" in English.
"Estan" is a conjugated form of the verb "estar" in the third person plural present indicative in Spanish. The verb "estar" is one of the two Spanish verbs that translate to "to be" in English, the other being "ser."
"Estar" is used to express a variety of situations and conditions that are temporary, changeable, or related to location or state. It describes the state of being, rather than the essence or identity of something or someone. The third person plural present indicative form "estan" specifically means "they are" in English.
The verb "estar" is frequently used to indicate location, condition, or how someone feels. For instance, "ellos están en la playa" translates to "they are at the beach," and "ellos están enfermos" means "they are sick." It can also be used to express temporary actions or states of being, such as "ellos están durmiendo" (they are sleeping) or "ellos están estudiando" (they are studying).
As "estar" refers to temporary or changeable states, it is often contrasted with the verb "ser," which expresses more permanent or intrinsic qualities. It is crucial for learners of Spanish to understand the usage and differences between "estar" and "ser" to accurately convey different aspects of being or existence.
