Spanish Phrase
¿Las luces de abajo están apagadas?
Meaning
This question asks whether the lights that are located downstairs (or in the lower part of a building) are currently turned off. It uses the verb estar to refer to a temporary state.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to confirm the lighting situation in a lower floor, basement, or any area described as “abajo.” It’s common in homes, offices, hotels, or when coordinating a group activity that depends on the lights being on or off.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Laslucesdeabajoestánapagadas?
Definite article (Las)
Las is the feminine plural form of the definite article, used before plural nouns like luces.
Noun (luces)
Luces is a feminine plural noun meaning “lights.”
Preposition + adverb (de abajo)
De introduces a location phrase; abajo works as an adverb meaning “downstairs” or “below.”
Verb estar (están)
Estar is used for temporary states or locations; están is the 3rd‑person plural present form.
Past participle as adjective (apagadas)
Apagadas is the feminine plural form of the past participle apagar, agreeing with luces.
🗨In Conversation
¿Las luces de abajo están apagadas?
Are the lights downstairs off?
Sí, están apagadas. Voy a encenderlas.
Yes, they are off. I’ll turn them on.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Las luces de abajo son apagadas?
Use estar for temporary states like a light being on or off; ser describes inherent characteristics.
¿Las luces de abajo están apagado?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with luces (feminine plural).
¿Las luces abajo de están apagadas?
The correct order is “de abajo,” not “abajo de.”
↔Alternatives
¿Las luces de la planta baja están apagadas?
Are the lights on the ground floor off?
¿Se apagaron las luces de abajo?
Did the lights downstairs get turned off?
¿Hay luz en la zona de abajo?
Is there light in the downstairs area?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking households, it’s polite to ask about the lights before turning them on or off, especially in shared spaces. Using “¿Podrías…?” (Could you…) softens the request. Also note that in Latin America the “c” in luces is pronounced /s/ rather than the European /θ/ shown in the IPA.