Learning Spanish Reviews Blog » The difference SER and ESTAR. II

The difference SER and ESTAR. II

07.02.2010 · Posted in Main Content

ESTAR is the other translation of the verb TO BE in Spanish.

PART 2: ESTAR

ESTAR

Yo ESTOY

Tú/Vos ESTÁS

Usted/ÉL/ELLA ESTÁ

Nosotros-as ESTAMOS

Ustedes/Ellos-as ESTÁN

1) We use ESTAR to speak about Localization.

Ej: La mesa está en el living.

El gato está bajo la mesa.

Madrid está en España.

But, be careful, we use SER with places, but only when we speak about origins.

Ej: Juan es argentino, pero ahora está en Estados Unidos por trabajo.

2) We use ESTAR when we speak about characteristics not permanent.

Normally we use with ESTAR: Aburrido-a/Divertido-a. Triste/Contento-a. Despierto-a/Dormido-a. Nervioso-a/Tranquilo-a.

3) We use ESTAR also with conditions: Vivo-a/Muerto-a. Parado-a/Sentado-a/Acostado-a. Enfermo-a/Sano-a.

IMPORTANT: We can use some adjectives with both SER and ESTAR, depending on the context. Ej: Juan normalmente es muy tranquilo, pero ahora está nervioso porque tiene un examen. /Natalia está aburrida porque la clase está aburrida en este momento ./La clase de Historia es aburrida porque la profesora es aburrida.

Share and Enjoy:

Miguel says:

July 2, 2010 at 2:52 pm

Muchas gracias Muy buen ejemplos!!! Thank you so much, great work

luci says:

July 3, 2010 at 2:42 am

This is really no different than what I indicated in my initial email. Most instructors teach these two verbs this way separately , then together which can be confusing. My point was not to clarify their usage which is easily memorized but to better or more readily determine which actions were “quickly” changeable rather than just using solely the term “temporary. When debating, as we do in this case, whether the action is “temporary”, one only needs to ask…Is the action “quickly” changeable”. If it is then estar is the verb. Simple and works most of the time. The operative word in this case for “estar” is “quickly”. Can the action “quickly” change? If so estar is used 99% of the time. This process makes it all the more comprehensive for me and I don’t have to labor through the rules for usage.

My Spanish Tutor says:

July 3, 2010 at 3:19 pm

We use SER with adjectives to describe inherent traits, qualities or characteristics (appearances, character, size, colour, material, state of being), and ESTAR to express a temporary or variable condition or state. Anyway, is very important to practice Ser and Estar in conversations or reading, because sometimes both are posibble, depending on the context.

Anna Rivera