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Ser and estar can both be translated as "to be." |
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Notice that these two sentences can have different meanings in
English.
The apple is green. (Meaning the apple is not
ripe.) condition
The apple is green. (Meaning the color of the apple
is green.) essential characteristics
In the first case, our example speaks of the condition of
the apple. The apple is green because it has not yet ripened.
When the condition of the apple changes, that is, when it has
ripened, it will no longer be green, it will be ripe.
In the second case, our example speaks of the essential
characteristics of the apple. The apple is green in color.
This particular apple remains green even after it has ripened.
In English, the verb "to be" can be used to tell how
something is (the condition) and what something is (the
essence).
How is the apple? It is unripe.
What color is the apple? It is green. |
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In Spanish, a different verb is used to express "to be"
depending on whether the speaker intends to address a condition
or an essential quality.
La manzana está verde.
The apple is green. (condition)
La manzana es verde. The
apple is green. (essence) |
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To address condition, use estar.
Estar is an irregular verb.
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| (yo) estoy |
(nosotros/as estamos |
| (tú) estás |
(vosotros/as) estáis |
| (él, ella, Ud.) está |
(ellos, ellas, Uds.) están |
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To address an essential quality, use ser.
Ser is an irregular verb. |
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| (yo) soy |
(nosotros/as somos |
| (tú) eres |
(vosotros/as) sois |
| (él, ella, Ud.) es |
(ellos, ellas, Uds.) son |
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If you are talking about what something is, use
ser; if you are talking about
how something is, use estar. |
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Ser |
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to
tell where an event or class is taking place |
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La reunión es en mi
casa. |
The meeting is
at my house. |
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La fiesta es en el
club. |
The party is at
the club. |
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used with adjectives to express inherent, or essential
qualities; characteristics of someone or something |
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La casa es vieja,
sino bonita. |
The house is
old, but beautiful. |
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Mis hijas son altas
y rubias. |
My daughters are
tall and blonde. |
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Estar |
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used in the progressive tenses to say what is going on right now |
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Está mirando la
televisión. |
He/she is
watching television. |
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Estamos organizando
la sala. |
We are tidying
up the living room. |
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used to express geographic or physical locations |
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Están en la cocina. |
They are in the
kitchen. |
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Chile está en
América del Sur. |
Chile is in
South America. |
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used with adjectives to express a state or condition ("how"
something is); how someone feels; how food tastes |
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Estoy muy bien,
gracias. |
I am very well,
thanks. |
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La sopa está fría. |
The soup is
cold. |
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