¿Ser o Estar? The differences between two Spanish verbs that both mean to be.

Presentación del tema: "¿Ser o Estar? The differences between two Spanish verbs that both mean to be."— Transcripción de la presentación:

1 ¿Ser o Estar? The differences between two Spanish verbs that both mean to be

2 Ser vs. Estar Ser and estar can both be translated as "to be, but they are very different in how they are used. Ser and estar can both be translated as "to be, but they are very different in how they are used. For example, notice that these two sentences can have different meanings in English: For example, 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 apple is not ripe.) The apple is green. (Meaning the color of the apple is green.) The apple is green. (Meaning the color of the apple is green.)

3 Ser vs. Estar In the first case, the example speaks of the condition of the apple (estar). 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 first case, the example speaks of the condition of the apple (estar). 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 (ser). The apple is green in color. This particular apple remains green even after it has ripened. In the second case, our example speaks of the essential characteristics of the apple (ser). The apple is green in color. This particular apple remains green even after it has ripened.

4 Ser vs. Estar In short, if you are talking about what something is, use ser; if you are talking about how something is, use estar. In short, if you are talking about what something is, use ser; if you are talking about how something is, use estar. Characteristic (permanent) vs. Condition (temporary) Characteristic (permanent) vs. Condition (temporary)

5 When to use ser… Ser is used to express nationality. Ser is used to express nationality. ¿Es ella puertorriqueña? Is she Puerto Rican? ¿Es ella puertorriqueña? Is she Puerto Rican? No, es guatemalteca. No, she's Guatemalan. No, es guatemalteca. No, she's Guatemalan.

6 When to use ser… Ser is used to express place of origin. Ser is used to express place of origin. ¿De dónde eres tú? Where are you from? ¿De dónde eres tú? Where are you from? Soy de Colombia. I'm from Colombia. Soy de Colombia. I'm from Colombia.

7 When to use ser… Ser is used to express the hour, day, and date. Ser is used to express the hour, day, and date. ¿Qué hora es? What time is it? ¿Qué hora es? What time is it? Son las dos. It's two o'clock. Son las dos. It's two o'clock. ¿Qué día es hoy? What day is today? ¿Qué día es hoy? What day is today? Hoy es lunes. Today's Monday. Hoy es lunes. Today's Monday. ¿Cuál es la fecha de hoy? What's the date today? ¿Cuál es la fecha de hoy? What's the date today? Es el cinco de mayo. It's May fifth. Es el cinco de mayo. It's May fifth.

8 When to use ser… Ser is used to express identity: religion/occupation. Ser is used to express identity: religion/occupation. ¿Cuál es tu trabajo? What do you do? ¿Cuál es tu trabajo? What do you do? Soy carpintero I'm a carpenter. Soy carpintero I'm a carpenter.

9 When to use ser… Ser is used to tell where an event is taking place. Ser is used to tell where an event is taking place. La película es en el cine. The movie is at the theatre. 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. La fiesta es en el club Fantástico. The party is in the Fantastic Club.

10 When to use ser… Ser is used to express the material something is made of. Ser is used to express the material something is made of. ¿De qué material es la mesa? What's the table made of? ¿De qué material es la mesa? What's the table made of? Es de madera. It's made of wood. Es de madera. It's made of wood.

11 When to use ser… Ser is used to express possession. Ser is used to express possession. ¿De quién es la pluma? Whose pen is it? ¿De quién es la pluma? Whose pen is it? Es de Emilio. It's Emilio's. Es de Emilio. It's Emilio's.

12 When to use ser… Ser is used with adjectives to express inherent, or essential qualities and characteristics Ser is used with adjectives to express inherent, or essential qualities and characteristics Miguel es un hombre sincero. Mike is a sincere man. Miguel es un hombre sincero. Mike is a sincere man. También es guapo. He's also handsome. También es guapo. He's also handsome.

13 When to use estar… Estar is used to express geographic or physical locations. Estar is used to express geographic or physical locations. ¿Dónde estás? Where are you? ¿Dónde estás? Where are you? Estoy en el laboratorio. I'm in the laboratory. Estoy en el laboratorio. I'm in the laboratory. ¿Dónde está Chile? Where's Chile? ¿Dónde está Chile? Where's Chile? Chile está en América del Sur. Chile is in South America. 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.) 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.)

14 When to use estar… Estar is used with adjectives to express a state or condition ("how" something is). Estar is used with adjectives to express a state or condition ("how" something is). ¿Cómo está la sopa? How's the soup? ¿Cómo está la sopa? How's the soup? La sopa está fría. The soup is cold. La sopa está fría. The soup is cold. ¿Cómo estás tú? How are you? ¿Cómo estás tú? How are you? Estoy ocupado. I am busy. Estoy ocupado. I am busy. Los sentimientos Los sentimientos Feelings Feelings

15 When to use estar… Estar is used with the progressive tenses. You will learn more about this usage later. Estar is used with the progressive tenses. You will learn more about this usage later. ¿Qué estás comiendo? What are you eating? ¿Qué estás comiendo? What are you eating? Estoy comiendo arroz y frijoles. I am eating rice and beans. Estoy comiendo arroz y frijoles. I am eating rice and beans.

16 A Practicar… Ser y Estar -- ¿Cómo son y cómo están? 1. Ana no _______ mexicana. Hoy ella _______ furiosa. 2. Ana, Felicia, y Juanita no _______ muy serias ni muy estudiosas. 3. Yo _______ una persona seria. 4. Tú _______ muy tímida. 5. Nosotros __________ felices hoy. 6. Mi hermano _______ triste hoy, pero generalmente _______ una persona muy feliz. 7. ¡________ las 8:30! ¿Dónde _________ tú? 8. La muchacha que _______ enferma _______ de Puerto Rico. 9. Los padres de Julia __________ doctores. ¡Ellos _________ hablando en japonés! 10. Marcos y Juan _______ en la piscina. 11. Argentina _________ debajo de Brazil. 12. La clase de matemáticas ________ después del almuerzo.