1.7: Ser and estar
- Page ID
- 415614
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Ser and Estar
In Spanish, there are also two ways to say to be. Ser is used with more permanent characteristics that describe. Estar is used with conditions and feelings, things which are more likely to change because they are temporary. Sometimes it helps to remember the saying, “How you feel and where you are, always use the verb ESTAR. If not ESTAR, then use SER.”
The present tense conjugations for ser and estar are below. Both of these verbs are irregular verbs and must be memorized.
ser estar
yo soy nosotros somos yo estoy nosotros estamos nosotras somos nosotras estamos
tú eres vosotros sois tú estás vosotros estáis vosotras sois vosotras estáis
él es ellos son él está ellos están ella es ellas son ella está ellas están usted es ustedes son usted está ustedes están
We can learn a little bit more about how ser and estar are different by using examples with the words DOCTOR and PLACE.
SER ESTAR
Description Position Es interesante. Está aquí.
Occupation Location Son médicas. Están en Aurora.
Characteristic Action Eres inteligente. Estás aprendiendo.
Time Condition Son las ocho. Estoy alegre.
Origin ESTAR Somos de Illinois.
Relation Son hermanos.
Ser is the doctor because being a doctor is something that lasts a long time. Estar is with place because the places we are each day tend to change depending on what we are doing.
Some adjectives change meaning depending on whether they are used with ser or estar. Six adjectives that change meaning based on the use of ser and estar are: aburrido, listo, malo, seguro, verde and vivo. With ser the adjectives are descriptive. With estar they are conditions that can easily change.
SER ESTAR
El libro es aburrido. El niño está aburrido. The book is boring. The child is bored.
Tú eres listo. Tú estás listo para salir. You are smart. You are ready to leave.
El programa es malo. Él está malo. The program is bad. He is sick.
Ella es segura. No está seguro. She is sure/confident. It is not sure/certain.
Los plátanos son verdes. Los plátanos están verdes. The bananas are green. The bananas are green/not ripe.
La chica es viva. La planta está viva. The girl is lively. The plant is alive.
Let's see what you have learned about the verbs ser and estar with a few practice exercises.
Prácticas.
A. Read each sentence or question. Then, write why the verb ser or estar was used in it.
- El restaurante es bueno.
- Nosotros estamos muy alegres hoy.
- La profesora es una persona alegre.
- Ella es profesora de español.
- Estamos en la clase de español.
- Estamos en la universidad.
- ¿Eres una estudiante dedicada?
- ¿Estás estudiando biología?
- Es un programa muy interesante.
- Son las once de la mañana.
B. Now, conjugate each of the verbs ser and estar in the present tense.
ser estar
C. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate present tense conjugation of ser or estar.
- Yo _______________ la ciudad de Nueva York
2. Yo _______________ de la ciudad de Nueva York.
- Ustedes _______________ buenos estudiantes.
4. Usted ________________ cansada hoy.
5. Nosotros ________________ estudiantes.
6. Tú __________________ en casa ahora.
7. Ella _______________ mi hermana.
8. La clase _______________ alegre con las notas.
9. ¿Qué hora ________________?
10. _______________ las dos de la tarde.
11. Mi café _________________ muy caliente.
12. ¿Otra A? Es una buena nota. Tú _________________ listo.
13. Vámonos. Nosotros _________________ listos.
14. Me gusta el libro. No ____________________ aburrido.
15. No tenemos planes. Nosotros __________________ aburridos.
16. ¡Hola! ¿Cómo ____________________ ustedes?
17. ¿De dónde ___________________ ustedes?
18. Nosostros estudiamos en una universidad que __________________ Aurora.
D. The song La Bamba is a traditional Mexican folk song about dancing. One sentence is "Yo no soy marinero, soy capitán." which means "I am not a sailor, I am a captain." Listen to the song. Then, write about five different things that you are or are not.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
E. Explain the difference between ser and estar. Then, write two sentences with ser and two with estar.