1. Unit 0 Labolengua Ser and estar

2. Unit 0: Labolengua © Oxford University Press 2012 A Ser Ser and estar both mean ‘to be’, but they are used in different situations. Ser is used for permanent states such as nationality, the time, jobs, descriptions, relationships, what things are made of and, as you have learnt in this unit, character traits. Soy colombiano. I am Colombian. Son las ocho y media. It’s half past eight. Mi hermano es actor. My brother’s an actor. Carla es mi prima. Carla is my cousin. Mi abuela es generosa. My grandmother is generous.

3. Unit 0: Labolengua © Oxford University Press 2012 ser – to be soy – I am eres – you (s) are es – he/she/it is, you (formal) are somos – we are sois – you (pl) are son – they/you (pl formal) are

4. Unit 0: Labolengua © Oxford University Press 2012 B Estar Estar is used for temporary states, for moods and for location. Mis abuelos están enfermos. My grandparents are ill. Clara está muy ilusionada. Clara is very excited. Madrid está en el centro de España. Madrid is in the centre of Spain.

5. Unit 0: Labolengua © Oxford University Press 2012 estar – to be estoy – I am estás – you (s) are está – he/she/it is, you (formal) are estamos – we are estáis – you (pl) are están – they/you (pl formal) are

6. Unit 0: Labolengua © Oxford University Press 2012 C More phrases using estar Some of these are not what you would expect! estar casado – to be married estar vivo – to be alive estar divorciado – to be divorced estar muerto – to be dead

7. Unit 0: Labolengua © Oxford University Press 2012 D The personal a There is no equivalent to the personal a in English. It is used before pronouns and nouns when referring to people (and pets!) but not objects. It shows the difference between people and things. Voy a visitar a mis primos. I’m going to visit my cousins. (people) Voy a visitar el castillo. I’m going to visit the castle. (thing) A becomes al in front of a masculine noun: Voy a pasear (a + el) al perro. I’m going to walk the dog.