状 circumstance

JOE Stalin's dog is in a circumstance of having two dicks.

context, condition ★★★★★
状 (circumstance) + 況 (condition) = 状況 (context, condition)

the state of affairs, the condition, the context: どういう状況でその言葉を使う？ (どういう　じょうきょう　で　その　ことぼあ　を　つかう？ = In what situation do you use that word?)

state ★★★☆☆
状 (circumstance) + 態 (looks like) = 状態 (state)

the state or status of something: water is the liquid state of h20, but ice is the solid state. State of shock. Pristine state. Also can mean the state of affairs : good, bad, deadlocked, deteroriorating, improving.