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© Copyright 1997-2005 www.studyspanish.com
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This lesson may be reproduced for non-profit educational purposes,
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Ser and Estar: Part I
Whole books have been written about the two important Spanish verbs: ser and estar. This will be
the subject of our discussion for the next few lessons. Soon, you will have a very good
understanding of how these two verbs are used.
Ser and estar can both be translated as "to be." Here is the English verb, fully conjugated:
to be
I am
you are
he/she is
we are
you-all are
they are
Notice that these two sentences can have different meanings in English.
The apple is green.
(Meaning the apple is not ripe.)
The apple is green.
(Meaning the color of the apple is green.)
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.
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)
Note how the adjective "verde" actually changes meaning, depending upon whether it is used
with ser or estar.
La manzana está verde.
(condition: verde = unripe)
La manzana es verde.
(essential characteristic: verde = color green)
To address condition, use estar. Estar is an irregular verb. It does not follow the standard rules of
conjugation for regular -ar verbs. Therefore, you must memorize it.
estar
estoy
estás
está
estamos
estáis
están
To address an essential quality, use ser. Ser is also irregular and must be memorized.
ser
soy
eres
es
somos
sois
son
If you are talking about what something is, use ser; if you are talking about how something is,
use estar.
What is she like?
She is quiet.
Use ser:
Ella es callada.
How is she acting?
She is being quiet.
Use estar:
Ella está callada.
Let's add the two important verbs ser and estar to our set of verb flashcards:
Verb Flashcards
6. ser (to be)
soy
eres
es
somos
sois
son
7. estar (to be)
estoy
estás
está
estamos
estáis
están
Ser and Estar: Part II
In the previous lesson you learned the fundamental difference between ser and estar - essence
or condition. The examples used the verbs in conjunction with adjectives to clearly illustrate this
point. In practice, ser and estar are not always used with adjectives, nor is it always easy for the
non-native speaker to choose between the two verbs. Therefore, it is extremely useful to learn
some concrete rules for deciding when to use ser or estar. This lesson examines some common
uses for the verb ser.
----------------------------Ser is used to express the hour, day, and date.
¿Qué hora es?
What time is it?
Son las dos.
It's two o'clock.
¿Qué día es hoy?
What day is today?
Hoy es lunes.
Today's Monday.
¿Qué fecha es hoy?
What's the date today?
Es el cinco de mayo.
It's May fifth.
----------------------------Ser is used to express place of origin.
¿De dónde eres tú?
Where are you from?
Soy de Colombia.
I'm from Colombia.
----------------------------Ser is used to express occupation.
¿Cuál es tu trabajo?
What do you do?
Soy carpintero
I'm a carpenter.
----------------------------Ser is used to express nationality.
¿Es ella puertorriqueña?
Is she Puerto Rican?
No, es guatemalteca.
No, she's Guatemalan.
----------------------------Ser is used to express religious or political affiliation.
¿Son los García bautistas?
Are the Garcias Baptists?
No, son católicos.
No, they're Catholics.
¿Es el gobierno socialista?
Is the government socialist?
No, es comunista.
No, it's communist.
----------------------------Ser is used to express the material something is made of.
¿De qué material es la mesa?
What's the table made of?
Es de madera.
It's made of wood.
----------------------------Ser is used to express possession.
¿De quién es la pluma?
Whose pen is it?
Es de Emilio.
It's Emilio's.
----------------------------Ser is used to express the relationship of one person to another.
¿Quién es Rogelio?
Who is Roger?
Es el esposo de Marta.
He's Martha's husband.
----------------------------Ser is used with certain impersonal expressions.
Es importante practicar cada día.
It's important to practice every day.
Es necesario hablar mucho.
It's necessary to speak a lot.
----------------------------Ser is used to tell where an event is taking place.
La película es en el cine.
The movie is at the theatre.
La fiesta es en el club Fantástico.
The party is in the Fantastic Club.
----------------------------Ser is used with adjectives to express inherent, or essential qualities.
Miguel es un hombre sincero.
Mike is a sincere man.
También es guapo.
He's also handsome.
----------------------------Let's review. Ser is used to express:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
the hour, day, and date
place of origin
occupation
nationality
religious or political affiliation
the material something is made of
possession
relationship of one person to another
certain impersonal expressions
where an event is taking place
essential qualities
-----------------------------
Let's add another flashcard:
Verb Flashcards
8. Uses of ser
the hour, day, and date
place of origin
occupation
nationality
religious or political affiliation
the material something is made of
possession
relationship of one person to another
certain impersonal expressions
where an event is taking place
essential qualities
Quiz #1
Ser and Estar: Part II
A. Write the correct form of the verb
1. ¿Qué hora es?
__________ las tres.
2. ¿Qué día es hoy?
Hoy _________ sábado.
3. ¿Qué fecha es hoy?
_________ el dos de febrero.
4. ¿De dónde es usted?
____________ del Perú.
5. ¿A qué te dedicas?
_________ médico.
6. ¿De qué país es ella?
_________ chilena.
7. ¿Son los Gómez protestantes?
Sí, __________ protestantes.
8. ¿Es el señor Mao socialista?
No, ________ comunista.
9. ¿De qué material es la pluma?
_________ de plástico.
10. ¿De dónde son las chicas?
__________ de España.
11. ¿De quién es la pluma?
__________ de María.
12. ¿Quién es esa mujer?
___________ la novia de Raúl.
13. ¿Es importante practicar cada día?
Sí _______ muy importante.
14. ¿Es necesario hablar mucho?
Sí, ___________ necesario hablar y escuchar.
15. ¿Es la fiesta en la casa de María?
No, ____________ en la casa de Marco.
16. ¿Es la reunión en el café?
No, __________ en la universidad.
17. ¿Es la chica guapa o fea?
_________ muy guapa.
18. ¿Es ella callada o habladora?
__________ callada.
19. ¿Es excelente esta práctica?
Sí, _________ excelente.
20. ¿Cómo es el idioma español?
__________ muy romántico.
B. Suggested writing exercise: Write six sentences using the verb ser.
Ser and Estar: Part III
In the previous two lessons you learned the fundamental difference between ser and estar essence or condition, as well as some common uses for the verb ser. This lesson examines the
other Spanish verb for "to be": estar.
----------------------------Estar is used to express geographic or physical locations.
¿Dónde estás?
Where are you?
Estoy en el laboratorio.
I'm in the laboratory.
¿Dónde está Chile?
Where's Chile?
Chile está en América del Sur.
Chile is in South America.
Note: The one exception to this rule is that ser is used to tell where an event is taking place. (La
fiesta es en mi casa.)
----------------------------Estar is used with adjectives to express a state or condition.
¿Cómo está la sopa?
How's the soup?
La sopa está fría.
The soup is cold.
¿Cómo estás tú?
How are you?
Estoy muy bien, gracias.
I am very well, thanks.
----------------------------Estar is used with many idiomatic expressions. These are just a few.
estar de acuerdo
to be in agreement
estar de pie
to be standing
estar en camino
to be on the way
estar en las nubes
to daydream
----------------------------Estar is used with the progressive tenses. You will learn more about this usage later. We present
it now simply because it is an important use of the verb estar.
¿Qué estás comiendo?
What are you eating?
Estoy comiendo arroz y frijoles.
I am eating rice and beans.
----------------------------Let's review. Estar is used to express:
1.
2.
3.
4.
geographic or physical location
state or condition
many idiomatic expressions
progressive tenses
----------------------------Let's add another flashcard:
Verb Flashcards
9. Uses of estar
geographic or physical location
state or condition
many idiomatic expressions
progressive tenses
Quiz #2
Ser and Estar: Part IIl
A. Choose the correct verb form.
1. ¿Dónde está Raúl?
_________ en la universidad.
2. ¿Dónde están ustedes?
__________ en el laboratorio de lenguas.
3. ¿Dónde están tus padres?
_________ en Florida.
4. ¿Dónde está usted?
_________ en la casa.
5. ¿Dónde está Guatemala?
_________ en la América Central.
6. ¿Dónde está España?
_________ en la Península Ibérica.
7. ¿Están los Gómez en Madrid?
No, _________ en Arequipa.
8. ¿Cómo está la sopa?
_________ fría.
9. ¿Cómo está la comida?
__________ deliciosa.
10. ¿Cómo están ustedes?
_________ bien.
11. ¿Cómo está su marido?
_________ enfermo.
12. Para ver al famoso...
Ellos _________ de pie.
13. Ella tiene razón...
Yo ________ de acuerdo con ella.
14. Él no escucha al profesor...
_________ en las nubes.
15. Tú no tienes dinero. Yo no tengo dinero...
_________ en las mismas.
16. ¿Cómo estás?
_________ bien gracias, ¿y tú?
17. ¿Cómo está usted?
__________ bien gracias, ¿y usted?
18. ¿Cómo está la carne?
_________ bien cocida.
19. ¿Cómo está la hamburguesa?
_________ bien cocida.
20. ¿Dónde está la casa de Juan?
___________ en el centro.
B. Suggested writing exercise: Write six sentences using the verb
estar.
Ser and Estar: Part IV
In the previous three lessons you learned the fundamental difference between ser and estar -essence or condition, as well as some common uses for each verb. This lesson presents the two
verbs side by side, with the emphasis on contrasting their uses. In the process, much -- but not all
-- of the previous three lessons will be reviewed. The practice exercises and the test cover
material from all four lessons (Ser and Estar Parts I-IV).
----------------------------When the verb "to be" is followed by a noun, the verb ser is always used. In this instance, it might
be helpful to think of the verb as equivalent to an "equal" sign, such as a = b. This type of
sentence is always referring to essential characteristics, since the verb is "linking" what comes
before the verb to what comes after the verb.
John is a doctor.
John = doctor.
Juan es médico.
----------------------------When the verb "to be" is followed by an adjective, the verb used depends upon the meaning.
When referring to an essential characteristic, use ser. When referring to a state or condition, use
estar.
La sopa está fría.
The soup is cold.
Los elefantes son grandes.
The elephants are big.
----------------------------When the verb "to be" is followed by an adjective, the verb can actually change the meaning of
the adjective.
El profesor está aburrido.
The professor is bored.
El profesor es aburrido.
The professor is boring.
----------------------------Distinguishing between origin, location, and "to take place." To describe origin, or where
something is from, use ser. To describe location, or where something is located right now, use
estar. To tell where an event is taking place, use ser.
Mónica es de España. (origin)
Mónica está en Venezuela. (location)
La fiesta es en la casa de Mónica. (taking place)
----------------------------Let's review.
1. When a noun follows the verb, use ser
2. When an adjective follows the verb, decide between
"essence" and "condition"
3. To tell where something is from, use ser
4. To tell where something is located right now, use estar
5. To tell where an event is taking place, use ser
----------------------------Let's add another flashcard:
Verb Flashcards
10. Ser and estar (contrasting uses)
When a noun follows the verb, use ser
When an adjective follows the verb, decide between
"essence" and "condition"
To tell where something is from, use ser
To tell where something is located right now, use estar
To tell where an event is taking place, use ser
Quiz #3
Ser and Estar: Part IV
A. Choose the correct form of ser or estar.
1. Andrea _________ en la universidad.
2. El señor Fidel _________ comunista.
3. Mi marido __________enfermo. (hoy)
4. Para ver al famoso ellos _________ de pie.
5. Ella tiene razón. Yo _________ de acuerdo con ella.
6. ___________ las tres.
7. Hoy __________ lunes.
8. Él ___________ de México.
9. ___________ médico.
10. Ella ___________ chilena.
11. Los Gómez ___________ católicos.
12. Ustedes ___________ en el laboratorio de lenguas.
13. La pluma ___________ de plástico.
14. La pluma ___________ de Arturo.
15. Francisco ___________ el novio de Katrina.
16. ___________ importante practicar cada día.
17. La fiesta ___________ en la casa de María.
18. La reunión ___________ en el café.
19. Esa chica ___________ una persona habladora.
20. La clase no es interesante. ___________ aburrida.
B. Suggested writing exercise: Write twelve sentences correctly using the
verbs ser and estar.
Spanish Learning Resources
© Copyright 1997-2005 www.studyspanish.com
All Rights Reserved
This lesson may be reproduced for non-profit educational purposes,
provided this copyright notice appears at the beginning and the end.