1.04 - Estructuras: Text version
Español 30
Slide 1
Ser or Estar
Slide 2
Both SER and ESTAR are translated to the English verb "to be". Which you use will depending on what you are saying.
Slide 3
ESTAR is used in the following instances:
Slide 4
Always remember this rhyme:
For how you feel and where you are, always use the verb ESTAR.
ESTAR is used in a few other cases, but mostly you will use this verb when talking about location and how you or someone else is feeling.
Let's take a closer look:
Slide 5
Use ESTAR when talking about place and location.
¿Dónde está el libro?
Yo estoy en mi casa.
Slide 6
Use ESTAR when using an adjective to express a temporary or unusual quality.
Tu pelo está muy largo.
Estás muy bonita hoy.
In other words, the speaker is talking about a quality or state that could either change or just seems different than expected.
Slide 7
Use ESTAR when asking someone how they are/stating how you are.
¿Cómo está usted?
Yo estoy cansada hoy.
Slide 8
Use ESTAR before past participles describing the result of an action.
El libro está cerrado.
La ventana está rota.
Slide 9
Use ESTAR with the present progressive tense.
Yo estoy comiendo.
Luisa está escuchando música.
Slide 10
Use SER in the following instances:
Slide 11
Use SER with an adjective to express a permanent or inherent quality.
Los elefantes son grandes.
Mi madre es baja.
Slide 12
Use SER for occupations and nationality.
Yo soy de España.
MarÃa es Venezolana.
Mi padre es dentista.
Slide 13
Use SER with nouns or pronouns.
Es un avión.
Es una niña.
Slide 14
Use SER with nouns or pronouns.
Es un avión.
Es una niña.
¿Eres Julio?
Slide 15
Use SER with possessions.
Es mi chaqueta.
Es de Susana.
Es suyo.
Es tuyo.
Slide 16
Use SER with time, dates and numbers.
Son las ocho de la mañana.
Cuatro y cuatro son ocho.
Hoy es el 15 de mayo.
Slide 17
Use SER with events.
La celebración es en casa de mi abuela.
When there is an event or an occasion such as a party we use "ser" even though we may seem to be indicating location which is usually with "estar."
Slide 18
Use SER with the passive voice.
La ventana fue rota.
Slide 19
Use SER when speaking about what something is made of.
Es de metal.
Slide 20
Use SER with "how much / many?"
¿Cuánto es?
¿Cuántos son?
Slide 21
Let's go back to two statements:
We use "ser" with an adjective to express a permanent or inherent quality.
We us "estar" with an adjective to express a temporary or unusual quality.
Slide 22
The two concepts may be easier to understand with some examples:
| SER permanent | ESTAR temporary |
| El sol es caliente. The sun is hot. | El horno está caliente. The oven is hot. |
| Es una niña bonita. She is a pretty girl. | Está muy bonita hoy. She is (looks) pretty today. |
| Su pelo es largo. Her hair is long. | Su pelo está largo. Her hair is long (has grown lately). |