If you’d like to ask “Where are you?” in Spanish, you’d generally want to use ¿Dónde estás? If you’re asking about multiple people, you’d say ¿Dónde están? If you want to be more specific, this list offers a good start.
As complicated as some phrases might seem when you learn Spanish, remember that you don’t have to tackle them all at once! You can focus on some of the basic Spanish words and phrases first. The common phrase “Where are you?” is a good example. You can start with ¿Dónde estás?, which will likely work well in any circumstances. Then you can incorporate other expressions with more nuanced meanings.
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The basics of asking ‘Where are you?’ in Spanish
It’s not quite so simple to use the word “are” in Spanish. There are two different verbs to know: ser vs. estar.
If you’re asking about someone’s current location, estar (to be) is the verb you need. The verb estar has several different forms, depending on the subject of the verb.
- ¿Dónde estás? = Where are you? (informal singular you)
- Estoy en la cocina. = I am in the kitchen. (talking about yourself)
- ¿Dónde está usted? = Where are you? (formal singular you)
Be careful, though, because the verb ser (to be) can also be used in sentences that start with “Where are you?” Use ser to ask “Where are you from?” in Spanish.
- ¿De dónde eres tú? = Where are you from? (informal, singular you)
- Yo soy de los Estados Unidos. = I am from the United States.
- ¿De dónde son ustedes? = Where are you from? (plural you)
- Somos de China. = We are from China.
If you want to ask “Where are you going?” in Spanish, you’ll use the verb ir (to go).
- ¿Adónde vas? = Where are you going?
These questions give you a great start on mastering Spanish question words. You’ll also want to learn the ways of the uniquely Spanish upside-down question mark, so you can form questions in writing.
Casual ways to ask ‘Where are you?’
If you’re just talking to a friend or family member, you can use the singular informal “you” in Spanish. That means your verb form will be the one associated with the subject tú (you). You won’t need to include this Spanish subject pronoun, since it’s implied by the verb form, but you can for emphasis.
- ¿Dónde estás? = Where are you?
- ¿Dónde estás tú? = Where are you?
A few other ways to ask a friend where they are could include:
- ¿Dónde te encuentras? = Where are you? (literally “Where do you find yourself?”)
- ¿Dónde andas? = Where are you? (literally “Where are you walking?”)
- ¿Cuál es tu dirección? = What’s your address?
The nuance of these phrases might come down to the specific nature of your conversation. Is the person asking for your general location, like what city you are in? Have you been traveling a lot recently and they’re looking for an update? Are they coming to meet you in a specific place and you’re trying to pinpoint exactly where you are?
Formal ways to ask ‘Where are you?’ in Spanish
A lot of the phrases are similar, but use usted, the formal “you,” to ask “Where are you?” in Spanish when the situation requires the formal register.
- ¿Dónde está? = Where are you?
- ¿Dónde está usted? = Where are you? (The usted can avoid confusion with él/ella, which share the verb form).
- ¿Dónde se encuentra usted? = Where are you? (literally “where do you find yourself?)
- ¿Cuál es su dirección? = What is your address?
- ¿Dónde está usted ubicado? = Where are you located? (useful for businesses, shops, etc)
Latin American vs. Spain: How to say ‘Where are you?’
Anywhere in Latin America or the United States, if you’re talking to more than one person, you’ll use the ustedes verb form for the plural you, but how do you say “Where are you?” in Peninsular Spanish? In Spain and nearby, you’re more likely to use vosotros/vosotras verb forms with a group of friends. This changes a few other Spanish parts of speech as well.
| Latin American Spanish | Peninsular Spanish | English Meaning |
| ¿Dónde están? | ¿Dónde estáis? | Where are you? |
| ¿De dónde son (ustedes)? | ¿De dónde sois? | Where are you from? |
| ¿Adónde van? | ¿Adónde vais? | Where are you going? |
| ¿Cuál es su dirección? | ¿Cuál es su dirección? | What is your address? |
Ask ‘Where are you?’ in Spanish with confidence in any situation
Such a simple question seems far more complicated, since the word “are” changes depending on the situation. Are you asking someone’s location, where they’re from, or where they are going? Are you talking to one person or more than one? Is there a regional difference where you’re speaking Spanish?
These are the types of choices that can be difficult when you’re first learning, but by practicing Spanish in meaningful contexts, you’ll make important natural connections.
