¡Avancemos! Unidad 1 Lección 2 Mis amigos y yo

“Ser or no Estar”

Let’s look at the verbs ser and estar, both of which translate as “to be” in English

The verb “Ser”

Ser is used to express: permanent or intrinsic qualities. It is used to talk about the things that do not change day to day.

We can use the acronym DOCTOR to help us remember the uses of ser Description Occupation Characteristics Time Origin Relationship

Description We use ser to describe what something is like. – El perro es grande. The dog is big.

– Los libros son muy interesantes. The books are very interesting.

Occupation When we talk about someone’s job we use ser – Yo soy dentista. I am a dentist.

– Tu eres estudiante. You are a student.

Characteristics We use ser to talk about someone’s personality or physical description – Ellos son altos. They are tall.

– Elena es muy amable. Elena is very nice.

Time We always use ser to talk about what time it is, the date, or day of the week. – Son las tres y media. It is three o’ clock

Origin Ser is used to talk about where a person is from. – Somos de Mexico. We are from Mexico.

– Soy de los Estados Unidos. We are from the United States

Relationship Ser is used to talk about the relationship between a person or object to another person or object – Estos son mis libros. Those are my books.

– Mario es el hermano de Luigi. Mario is Luigi’s brother.

That sums up the uses of ser. Just remember Description Occupation Characteristics Time Origin Relationship

Estar is used to express: Changeable or Impermanent qualities. It is used to discuss things that are more likely to change each day.

We can use the acronym PLACE to help us remember the uses of Estar Place Location Condition Emotion

Position Estar is used to talk about an object’s position – El gato está al lado del perro. The cat is next to the dog

– Los libros están encima de la mesa. The books are on top of the table.

Location Anytime you discuss a person or an object’s location in Spanish use the verb estar. As they say in real estate, location, location, location! – La casa blanca está en Washington. The White House is in Washington

– Estamos en Nueva York. We are in New York.

Action Estar is used to talk about something that we are doing at that exact moment. – Estoy estudiando ahora. I am “studying” right now.

– Tú estás comiendo. You are eating right now.

Condition Estar is used to talk about your physical condition day-to-day. – Estoy enferma hoy. I am sick today.

– Estamos muy cansados. We are very tired.

Emotion Describe how you are feeling emotionally day to day. – Ud. Está muy contento. You are very happy.

– Sofía y María están tristes. Sofía and María are sad.

We can use the acronym PLACE to help us remember the uses of Estar Place Location Condition Emotion

¿Puede Ud. explicar estas frases? La manzana es verde. La manzana está verde.

La profesora es aburrida. Los profesores están aburridos.