{"id":727,"date":"2010-03-26T08:49:20","date_gmt":"2010-03-26T08:49:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/spanish\/?p=727"},"modified":"2010-04-12T14:04:46","modified_gmt":"2010-04-12T14:04:46","slug":"ser-vs-estar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/spanish\/ser-vs-estar\/","title":{"rendered":"Ser vs Estar"},"content":{"rendered":"

One challenge for Spanish learners is distinguishing when to use ser<\/strong> or estar<\/strong>, both of which translate into \u201cto be<\/strong>\u201d in English. Generally, ser is used with adjectives expressing permanent characteristics (including nationality, physical appearance and personality) while estar is used for temporary states or conditions, such as emotions. Sometimes learners believe that a given adjective is always and exclusively used with one or the other, but in fact some adjectives can be paired with both ser<\/strong> AND estar<\/strong> depending on what the speaker is trying to express.<\/p>\n

Here are a few examples. Notice the difference in meaning:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Los caf\u00e9s est\u00e1n<\/strong> fr\u00edos.<\/td>\nThe coffees are cold (The coffees we are referring to are normally hot, and so their being cold is a temporary condition.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
as opposed to<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Los frapuccinos son<\/strong> fr\u00edos.<\/td>\nFrapuccinos are cold (Frapuccinos are characteristically cold-they are never hot)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Francisco es<\/strong> guapo.<\/td>\nFrancisco is handsome (This is a permanent physical attribute)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
as opposed to<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Francisco est\u00e1<\/strong> super guapo hoy!<\/td>\nFrancisco is (looks) really handsome today! (Here, his handsomeness is a temporary condition, due to a change from the norm such as his choice of clothing that day, the way he styled his hair, or some other alteration)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In addition, there are some adjectives that completely change meaning depending on their use with ser<\/strong> or estar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Elena est\u00e1<\/strong> aburrida.<\/td>\nElena is bored<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elena es<\/strong> aburrida.<\/td>\nElena is boring<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marco est\u00e1<\/strong> cansado.<\/td>\nMarco is tired<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Correr un marat\u00f3n es<\/strong> cansado.<\/td>\nRunning a marathon is tiring<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
La manzana est\u00e1<\/strong> verde.<\/td>\nThe apple is unripe<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Las manzanas Granny Smith son<\/strong> verdes.<\/td>\nGranny Smith apples are green<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00bfEst\u00e1s<\/strong> listo para ir al cine?<\/td>\nAre you ready<\/strong> to go to the movies?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ese ni\u00f1o es<\/strong> muy listo.<\/td>\nThat little boy is very clever<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One challenge for Spanish learners is distinguishing when to use ser or estar, both of which translate into \u201cto be\u201d in English. Generally, ser is used with adjectives expressing permanent characteristics (including nationality, physical appearance and personality) while estar is used for temporary states or conditions, such as emotions. Sometimes learners believe that a given…<\/p>\n

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