Estar Señora Ramos
Using Ser and Estar Ser and Estar both mean “to be”. But how do we know which one to use in our sentences? The following slides will give memory aids and explanations as to when to use ser and when to use estar. All information is from
General Estar Rule Estar is used to indicate temporary states and locations.
Forms of Estar: Yo ________Nosotros _________ Tú ________Vosotros _________ ÉlEllos Ella _______Ellas _________ Usted Ustedes estoy estás está estamos estáis están
PLACEPLACE = position = condition = action = location = emotion A good acronym to remember the uses of estar is PLACE
P osition Position is the physical position or posture a person or thing is in. Mi abuela está sentada. (My grandmother is seated. ) Yo estoy acostada. (I am laying down. ) Mi abuela está de pie. (My grandmother is standing up. )
L ocation The location of someone or something describes where it is permanently, temporarily, actually, or conceptually. El baño está a la derecha de la sala. (The bathroom is to the right of the living room.) El edificio está en la plaza. (The building is in the plaza) Nosotros estamos en la clase de español. (We are in Spanish class) NOTE!! – The location of parties or events is described using SER La fiesta ES en mi casa.
A ction Estar is used to describe an ongoing action using the present progressive tense. (-ing in English) Estoy lavando los platos sucios. (I am washing the dirty dishes.) Estamos leyendo los periódicos. (We are reading the newspapers.) Mi bisabuelo está muerto. (My great-grandfather is dead.) **In Spanish, death is considered an ongoing action so we use estar.**
C ondition Physical and mental conditions are described using estar. Mis niños están enfermos hoy. (My children are sick today.) Estoy tan cansada esta mañana. (I am so tired this morning.) La sopa está demasiada picante. (The soup is too spicy)
E motion How a person is feeling at a certain moment is described using estar. Estoy triste. (I am sad.) Ella está contenta porque recibió unas flores de su novio. (She is happy because she received some flowers from her boyfriend.)