SER VS. ESTAR

Ser & Estar = to be to be

SER & ESTAR  Both can be translated into English as the verb ‘to be’. TO BE TO BE I am We are You areYou all are He is, she isThey are

Ser vs. estar  So, why do we use 2 verbs in Spanish?

... Because sometimes the verb ‘to be’ can have different meanings. Let’s look closely at this sentence: The apple is green.

What does the speaker wish to discuss? * condition or * quality

Condition or quality?

Check these out.... The apple is green. (meaning that it is unripe.) The apple is green. (meaning that it is the color green.)

ESTAR is used when discussing the state or condition that something is in: Forms of Estar: EstoyEstamos EstoyEstamos EstásEstáis Está Están

SER is used when discussing an inherent characteristic or quality. Forms of Ser: Soy Somos Eres Sois Eres Sois Es Son

Ooohhh, so...  The apple is green. (meaning unripe) (meaning unripe) *this is referring to it’s condition *this is referring to it’s condition So... La manzana está verde.

But...  The apple is green. (referring to the color) (referring to the color) *this is referring to a quality of the apple. *this is referring to a quality of the apple. So... La manzana es verde.

Cool, Mrs. Z! Teach it!!

In English, the verb "to be" can be used to tell how something is (the condition ) and what something is (the essence of it, or a quality it possesses ).

What is she like? (She is a quiet person.) - ¿Cómo es ella? - Ella es callada. How is she acting? (She is being quiet. ) (She is being quiet. ) - ¿Cómo está ella? - ¿Cómo está ella? - Ella está callada. - Ella está callada.

OK... ¡TE TOCA A TI!

How would you say... They are tired. -Ellos están cansados. -Ellos están cansados. Ricardo is bored. Ricardo is bored. -Ricardo está aburrido. -Ricardo está aburrido.

Susana is happy now. Susana is happy now. -Susana está contenta ahora. -Susana está contenta ahora. Juliana is boring. Juliana is boring. -Juliana es aburrida. -Juliana es aburrida. The girls are tall. - Las chicas son altas. - Las chicas son altas.

RECAP: ESTAR - a state or condition something is in. SER - a quality or characteristic something possesses.

So, let’s look at the ‘rules’ from years gone by and see if this applies ? ? ? Ser or Estar?? Ser or Estar?? Occupation... S er S er

Ser or Estar?? Ser or Estar?? Possession... Ser Ser

Ser or Estar?? Ser or Estar??Location? Estar Estar

Ser or Estar?? Ser or Estar?? Time, date, day... Ser Ser

Ser or Estar?? Ser or Estar??Nationality Ser Ser

Ser or Estar?? Ser or Estar??Health Estar Estar

Ser or Estar?? **Where an event takes place Ser Ser

So, let’s recap... Estar : Condition - emotions - emotions - health - health - location (physical, geografic) - location (physical, geografic) and... and...

The progressive tense Estar + gerund Estar + gerund Linda is talking too fast. Linda is talking too fast. Linda está hablando demasiado rápido. Linda está hablando demasiado rápido.

Impersonal expressions : - use SER - use SER Es necesario.... Es necesario.... Es importante... Es importante... Es interesante... Es interesante... Es cierto... Es cierto...

Watch out for adjectives that change their meaning!

Ser Estar Ser Estar aburrido(a) boring bored cansado(a) tiresome tired listo(a) smart ready rico(a) rich tasty seguro(a) safe sure verde green unripe vivo(a) lively alive

So... Like... We really can’t just use whichever we want... I get it!... I get it! Mrs. Z!...

Great job!!  Now, go out there and master the ser vs. estar struggles in this bilingual world in which you now live!!!  Just remember...

 It’s  E C if you  S Q –self  the right questions!  the right questions!