When to use the verb Ser
→ Let’s remember all the uses for SER (the permanent verb To Be in Spanish):
- Nationalities:
YO SOY DE INGLATERRA
I AM FROM ENGLAND
ELLA ES CHINA
SHE IS CHINESE
- Professions:
YO SOY PROFESOR
I AM TEACHER
ELLA ES ESTUDIANTE DE ESPAÑOL
SHE IS STUDENT OF SPANISH
- Permanent descriptions:
ÉL ES MUY ALTO
HE IS VERY TALL
YO SOY BASTANTE TRANQUILO
I AM QUITE QUIET
- Possession:
EL LIBRO ES DE FERNANDO
THE BOOK IS FROM FERNANDO
→ (IS FERNANDO’S CAR)
EL COCHE ES DE LUÍS
THE CAR IS FROM LUIS
→ (IS LUIS ‘S CARS)
- Time:
We have not explained time yet in any post. It will come later on; we have to see a little bit more things before going to the time’s section. Just remember that when we express time, we will use the verb SER as well.
When to use the verb Estar
→ Let’s remember all the uses for ESTAR (the temporary verb To Be in Spanish):
- Mental/Physic state:
YO ESTOY CANSADO
I AM TIRED
LA MESA ESTÁ ROTA
THE TABLE IS BROKEN
- Location:
YO ESTOY EN BARCELONA
I AM IN BARCELONA
PARÍS ESTÁ EN FRANCIA
PARIS IS IN FRANCE
- Time:
As we said previously, expressing time is going to be used with the verb SER. Then, why does it come again in the ESTAR guidelines section? Eventually, time can be also expressed with the verb ESTAR, but, this is something that we will see later on.
From now on and until we explain when the time can be used in a ESTAR temporary expression, just think that when we express time (hours, days, months, years, seasons…) , we will use the verb SER.
The verbs Ser and Estar in action
The best way of seeing SER vs ESTAR is using them already in a proper sentence. We are going to have a few lessons with exercises to practice all what we have seen so far in both verbs.
→ SER: nationality/profession/permanent description.
→ ESTAR: location/mental and physic state.
Can you choose the right verb Ser or Estar and their conjugation?
- El niño …X… enfermo.
- La cama…SER or ESTAR?…cuadrada.
- Ramón…SER or ESTAR?…agradable.
- Judit …X…estudiante.
- Judit…X…enfadada.
- Paco…SER or ESTAR?…simpático.
- Paco…X…resfriado.
- Xavi…SER or ESTAR?…simpático.
- Sergio y Ana…X…profesores.
- La puerta…SER or ESTAR?…cerrada.
- La ventana…SER or ESTAR?…abierta.
- La ventana…X…grande y blanca.
- París…X…en Francia.
- París…X…grande y sucio.
- Los libros…X…encima de la mesa.
- Barcelona…X…muy bonita.
- Barcelona…X…al sur de Francia.
- Mi habitación…X…al lado del comedor.
- Mi habitación…X…grande.
- La casa…SER or ESTAR?…azul.
- La casas…X…junto a mi casa.
- Sara…X…de Madrid.
- Noele…SER or ESTAR?…Inglesa.
- Sara…SER or ESTAR?…abogada.
- Noele…X…profesora de Inglés.
- Ana…X…rubia y alta.
- Alberto y Andrea …X…Italianos
- Yo…SER or ESTAR?…Japonés
- Tú…X…en Estados Unidos.
- Tú…SER or ESTAR?…Chino
