'ser' and 'estar'

Question 1

Ser and estar can both be translated as…

Answer 1

“to be.”

La manzana está verde (the apple is green)

Question 2

In Spanish, a different verb is used to express “to be” depending on…

Answer 2

whether the speaker intends to address a condition or an essential quality.

La manzana está verde.
The apple is green. (condition)
La manzana es verde.
The apple is green. (essence)

Question 3

the adjective actually changes meaning, depending upon…

Answer 3

whether it is used with ser or estar.

La manzana está verde.
(condition: verde = unripe)
La manzana es verde.
(essential characteristic: verde = color green)

Question 4

To address condition, use…

Answer 4

Estar

La manzana está verde.
(condition: verde = unripe)

Question 5

To address an essential quality use…

Answer 5

ser.

La manzana es verde.
(essential characteristic: verde = color green)

Question 6

I am (permanently)

Answer 6

soy.

soy juan (I’m john)

Question 7

I am (temporarily)

Answer 7

estoy

estoy en Madrid (I’m in Madrid)

Question 8

you are (permanently) [informal]

Answer 8

eres

eres muy guapa (you’re very beautiful)

Question 9

you are (temporarily) [informal]

Answer 9

estás

estás triste (you’re sad)

Question 10

he/she is (permanently)

Answer 10

es

él/ella es español/española (he/she is Spanish)

Question 11

he/she is (temporarily)

Answer 11

está

él/ella está hambre (he/she is hungry)

Question 12

you are (permanently) [formal]

Answer 12

es

usted es elegante (you are elegant)

Question 13

you are (temporarily) [formal]

Answer 13

está

usted está brillante (you are brilliant)

Question 14

we are (permanently)

Answer 14

somos

somos el martines (we are the martins)

Question 15

we are (temporarily)

Answer 15

estamos

estamos en vacación (we are on vacation)

Question 16

you (guys) are (permanently) [informal]

Answer 16

sois

sois genial (you (guys) are great)

Question 17

you (guys) are (temporarily) [informal]

Answer 17

estáis

estáis feliz (you (guys) are happy)

Question 18

they are (permanently)

Answer 18

son

ellos/ellas son los/las martins (they are the Martins)

Question 19

they are (temporarily)

Answer 19

están

ellos/ellas están en el club de lectura (they are in the book club)

Question 20

you (guys) are (permanently) [formal]

Answer 20

son

ustedes son asombroso (you (guys) are amazing)

Question 21

you (guys) are (temporarily) [formal]

Answer 21

están

ustedes están divertido (you (guys) are fun)

Question 22

To express the hour, day, and date use…

Answer 22

ser

Son las dos (It’s two o’clock)

Question 23

To express place of origin use…

Answer 23

ser

Soy de Colombia (I’m from Colombia)

Question 24

To express occupation use…

Answer 24

ser

Soy carpintero (I’m a carpenter)

Question 25

To express nationality use...

Answer 25

ser ## Footnote ella es guatemalteca (she’s Guatemalan)

Question 26

To express religious or political affiliation use...

Answer 26

ser ## Footnote ellos son católicos (they’re Catholics) el gobierno es comunista (the government is communist)

Question 27

To express the material something is made of use...

Answer 27

ser ## Footnote la mesa es de madera (the table is made of wood)

Question 28

To express possession use...

Answer 28

ser {la pluma es de emilio the pen is emilio's} ## Footnote la pluma es de emilio (the pen is emilio's)

Question 29

To express the relationship of one person to another use...

Answer 29

ser ## Footnote Rogelio es el esposo de Marta (Roger is Marta's husband)

Question 30

with certain impersonal expressions use...

Answer 30

ser ## Footnote Es importante practicar cada día (It’s important to practice every day)

Question 31

To tell where an event is taking place use...

Answer 31

ser ## Footnote La película es en el cine (The movie is at the theatre)

Question 32

with adjectives to express inherent, or essential qualities use...

Answer 32

ser ## Footnote Miguel es un hombre sincero (Mike is a sincere man)

Question 33

To express geographic or physical locations use...

Answer 33

estar ## Footnote Estoy en el laboratorio (I’m in the laboratory) Chile está en América del Sur (Chile is in South America)

Question 34

with adjectives to express a state or condition (“how” it is) use...

Answer 34

estar ## Footnote La sopa está fría (The soup is cold)

Question 35

with many idiomatic expressions use...

Answer 35

estar ## Footnote estar en las nubes (to daydream)

Question 36

with the progressive tenses use...

Answer 36

estar ## Footnote Estoy comiendo arroz y frijoles (I am eating rice and beans)

Question 37

When the verb “to be” is followed by a noun, the verb ____ is always used | fill in the blank

Answer 37

ser ## Footnote Juan es médico (John is a doctor)

Question 38

When the verb “to be” is followed by an adjective, the verb can...

Answer 38

change the meaning of the adjective. ## Footnote El profesor está aburrido (The professor is bored) El profesor es aburrido (The professor is boring)