I often use the phrase "have been" (or "has been") in English in sentences like:
In Spanish I was told "have/has been" generally translates as he estado (or ha estado, etc). Are there other ways "have been" can be translated? When would each be used?
In the examples you provide they can all be translated as ha estado or he estado, except the third one:
- It has been raining a lot recently = Ha estado lloviendo mucho últimamente (or maybe better "ha llovido mucho últimamente")
- I have been thinking about the exam all week = He estado pensando en el examen toda la semana
- I have been very busy with work lately = He estado muy ocupado con el trabajo últimamente
Your third case is a bit special, because "It's been a long time" is kind of different. It translates as "ha pasado mucho tiempo" or "hace mucho (tiempo)". So:
- It's been a long time since I've seen you = Hace mucho (tiempo) que no te veo
So, yes, in general have been translates as ha estado (or whatever person it is). I would say this applies to:
But there are some constructs, like "it's been a long time" that have a corresponding special construct in Spanish.
I must add that if what has been happening is still going on, or has just finished, you could say, for example:
- I have been waiting for an hour = Llevo una hora esperando
- Have you been doing that for a long time? = ¿Llevas mucho tiempo haciendo eso?
