Estar para + infinitive to say someone/something is ready for something

Learn when to use estar + para + infinitive in Spanish

Estar para: ready to/about to

In conversational Spanish we often use estar para (+ infinitive) when we want to express that someone/something is either "ready/prepared" to do something or "about to" do something. 

For example:

Mi hija ya está para casarse.My daughter is ready to get married.

Los melocotones están para comerlos.The peaches are ready to eat. (they are ripe)

He tenido un día largo. Estoy para acostarme.I had a long day. I am ready for bed.

Está para llover.It is about to rain.

Note that the last example above expressing it's about to rain, could also use por with the same meaning: "Está por llover"

No estar para: negative sentences 

When it's used in a negative sentence it can also imply "not being in the mood for something" or "not being able to do something", for example:

No estoy para andar mucho. Todavía me duele la rodilla desde la caída de ayer.I am not ready to/cannot walk much. My knee still hurts from yesterday's fall.

Miguel no está para aguantar bromas. Hoy ha discutido con su jefe.Miguel is not in the mood for jokes. He had an argument with his boss today.

Estar para: a mission/purpose

We can also use estar para + infinitive to express that the subject has "a mission/a purpose", as in a general statement. For example:

Los médicos están para ayudar a los ciudadanos a tener una buena salud.Doctor are [there] to help citizens stay healthy.

Los padres están para ayudar a los hijos.Parents are [there] to help their children.

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Examples and resources

Los melocotones están para comerlos.The peaches are ready to eat. (they are ripe)
Está para llover.It is about to rain.
He tenido un día largo. Estoy para acostarme.I had a long day. I am ready for bed.
Miguel no está para aguantar bromas. Hoy ha discutido con su jefe.Miguel is not in the mood for jokes. He had an argument with his boss today.
Los padres están para ayudar a los hijos.Parents are [there] to help their children.
Mi hija ya está para casarse.My daughter is ready to get married.
No estoy para andar mucho. Todavía me duele la rodilla desde la caída de ayer.I am not ready to/cannot walk much. My knee still hurts from yesterday's fall.
Los médicos están para ayudar a los ciudadanos a tener una buena salud.Doctor are [there] to help citizens stay healthy.
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