Chapter 1 Grammar

Question 1

Conjugate “estar” into the present indicative:

Answer 1

Estar - “to be (temporarily)”

estoy
estás
está

estamos
estáis
están

Question 2

Conjugate “ser” into the present indicative:

Answer 2

ser - “to be (more permanently)

soy
eres
es

somos
sois
son

Question 3

What is “estar” used to express (as opposed to “ser”)?

Answer 3

Estar is used to express four basic concepts:

- Location - where something is physically located
Nosotros estamos en el tren.
We are on the train. 
La quinta avenida está en la ciudad. 
Fifth Avenue is in the city. 

- Health 
Yo estoy bien, gracias. 
I am well, thank you. 
Ella está enferma. 
She is sick. 

- Changing mood or condition
La muchacha está contenta. 
The girl is happy. 
Estoy feliz. 
I am happy. 
Los hombres están cansados. 
They are tired. 

- Personal opinion (in terms of taste in food or appearance in looks)
La comida está buena. 
The food is/tastes good. 
El pescado está delicioso 
The fish is/tastes delicious. 
Él está guapo. 
He is/looks handsome.

Question 4

Remember: What is the most important word in a Spanish sentence?

Answer 4

The verb. The verb is what “says” the most in Spanish sentences, as most of the meaning trying to be conveyed can be found in the verb. Always pay particular attention to the verb in sentences.

Question 5

What is “ser” used to express (as opposed to “estar”)?

Answer 5

Ser is used to express 9 basic concepts:

- Description 
La casa es roja. 
The house is red
El libro es interesante. 
The book is interesting. 
Somos fuertes. 
We are strong. 

- Profession (Spanish does not translate the "a/an" when describing a profession)
Yo soy abogado. 
I am a lawyer. 
Él es arquitecto. 
He is an architect. 

- Point of origin
De dónde eres? 
Where are you from? 
Ellos son de los estados unidos. 
They are from the United States. 
El vino es de Portugal. 
The wine is from Portugal. 

- Identification - relationship, nationality, or origin.
Somos amigos. 
We are friends. 
José y Eduardo son hermanos. 
Joe and Edward are brothers. 
Pablo es español. 
Paul is Spanish. 
Ella es católica. 
She is Catholic. 

- Material (what something is made of)
La mesa es de madera. 
The table is (made) of wood. 
La casa es  de piedra. 
The house is (made) of stone. 

- Possession or ownership 
La muneca es de la nina. 
The doll is the child's/girl's. 
Los amigos son de Maria. 
They are Maria's friends. 
El coche es de los amigos. 
The car belongs to the friends. 

• Where an event takes place
  La fiesta es en la casa de Jose.
  The party is/takes place at Joe’s house.
  La protesta es en la capital.
  The protest is/takes place in the capital.
• Telling time - Spanish uses the third-person singular or plural of ser for telling time. “La” refers to “la hora.”

Es la una. 
It's one (o'clock). 
Son las cinco. 
It's five (o'clock). 
Son las once. 
It's eleven (o'clock). 

- In impersonal expressions. 
Es bueno. 
It's good. 
Es dificil. 
It's difficult. 
Es importante. 
It's important.

Question 6

Conjugate “ser” into the present indicative:

Answer 6

ser - “to be (more permanently)”

soy
eres
es

somos
sois
son

Question 7

Remember: Can prepositions end Spanish sentences?

Answer 7

No, Spanish sentences never end in prepositions. So, whereas English says “where are you from?” Spanish says “From where are you?” (“De” donde eres?)