9.1.4: G.1.4- To Be (ser y estar)
- Page ID
- 234207
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| Ser | Estar | |
|---|---|---|
| yo | soy | estoy |
| tú | eres | estás |
| él/ella/Ud. | es | está |
| nosotros/as | somos | estamos |
| vosotros/as | sois | estáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | son | están |
Uses of ser
- To indicate nationality or origin:
Ejemplo(s):
--David es de Tejas.
David is from Texas.
- To describe intrinsic characteristics:
Ejemplo(s):
--Los árboles son altos.
The trees are tall.
- To indicate dates and time:
Ejemplo(s):
--Hoy es lunes, 16 de septiembre y son las 11:30 de la mañana.
Today is Monday, the 16th of September, and it is 11:30 in the morning.
- To form the passive voice with the past participle:
Ejemplo(s):
--El premio fue ortogado por el comité.
The prize was awarded by the committee
Uses of estar
- To indicate where people, objects and places are located*:
Ejemplo(s):
--El coche está en el parking.
The car is in the parking lot.
* Use ser to describe where an event takes place.
--La clase de español es en Wescoe.
The Spanish class is in Wescoe.
- To express mental states that result from an action or event:
Ejemplo(s):
--Estoy deprimida porque saqué una “F” en el examen.
I’m depressed because I got an “F” on the exam.
- To express physical states that result from an action or event:
Ejemplo(s):
--El chico está cansado después de correr 5 millas.
The boy is tired after running 5 miles.
- To express something unexpected:
Ejemplo(s):
--¿No está muy delgada Carolina?
Doesn’t Carolina look really thin?
In general, the verb ser is used to express characteristics or inherent circumstances, while the verb estar is used to describe a resulting state. Equating ser with permanent states and estar with non-permanent states, can lead to erroneous verb use. Take a look at the following example:
Ejemplo(s):
--Mi abuela se murió el año pasado.
My grandmother died last year.
--Mi abuela está muerta.
My grandmother is dead.
Death is a permanent state but estar is used because death is the state or condition resulting from dying.