What's the difference between ''he estado'', '' estuve '' and ''estaba''?

Answer 1

He estado = I have been. It started in the past but may not be finished. "He estado en Dallas tres años." = I've been in Dallas three years. (The implication being that I'm still here.)

 

Estuve = I was. In the past, and it's done. "Estuve en Brooklyn durante tres años." = I was in Brooklyn for three years. (And I'm not there anymore.)

 

Estaba = I was being. This is used to describe an ongoing condition in the past when something else happened. "Estaba muy cortés hasta que me pidieron a soborno." = I/He/She was being polite until they asked me for a bribe.

Answer 2

All three refer to past actions. 

 

He estado. This action is unfinished. It started in the past and continues happening right now. 

 

Estuve. This action started and finished at a certain moment in the past. For example yesterday, last week, a month ago.

 

Estaba. This action also started and finished in the past, but you don’t know exactly when.