Comments on: Can someone let me know the difference between the spanish verbs SER and ESTAR? They both seem to mean TO BE!!?

By: Randy P

Randy P — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:06:37 +0000

Spanish distinguishes between permanent and temporary characteristics. As a general rule, "ser" means permanent things and "estar" means temporary things.

So if you ask someone "Como esta?" you mean "how are you (today or right now)?" But if you ask "Como es?" you mean "What are you like?"

It’s confusing at first but you get used to it.

Edited: I think the most confusing cases are ones where both "ser" or "estar" could be used, and they make two different sentences. But in many cases, only one or the other is proper. There are a bunch of good online lessons that address all the different cases. Like here:
http://www.studyspanish.com/lessons/serest1.htm

You’ll notice there are four complete "ser vs. estar" lessons. There’s a lot to cover.

By: lalo

lalo — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:06:37 +0000

I agree with Randy,
I am alone: estoy solo
I am lonely: soy solitario

By: Michelle <3

Michelle <3 — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:06:37 +0000

SER = personality, characteristics, where you are from (soy de nueva york)

ESTAR = how u feel, where you are, how are you

COMO ESTAS?
bien gracias
but in an hour u can be angry

Ser = Soy rubia. I am ligt skinned.

By: Feer

Feer — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:06:37 +0000

What the have told you is correct. But also I would like to say another example. Present continuos is formed with be+gerund in English, but in spanish with estar+gerund.
I am eating=Estoy comiendo
Another example: adjetives ending in -ed are translated using Estar, and ending in -ing using Ser
I’m bored=estoy aburrido (because i’m doing nothing)
I’m boring=soy aburrido (because people dont laught when i tell jokes)

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:06:37 +0000

This is how I learned it:

Estar:
Health
Emotions/Feelings
Location
Preposition/Participle
Surprise quality/Unusual description

Ser:
Description
Occupation/Origin/Ownership

Identification/Relationship
Time & Date

So the uses of estar would spell out helps and the uses of ser would spell out do it.

By: Juan

Juan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:06:37 +0000

*SER and ESTAR are two different verbs with very similar meanings.
Ser is usually used when we want to talk about permanent things and estar when we talk about a place or when something is temporary and can change.

-Yo soy español. Estoy en Francia.
– I am Spanish. I am in France.
– Mi coche es un Ford. Está en el garaje.
– My car is a Ford. It is in the garage.