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Spanish Grammar > 'ser' and 'estar' > Flashcards

'ser' and 'estar' Flashcards

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1
Q

Ser and estar can both be translated as…

A

“to be.”

La manzana está verde (the apple is green)

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2
Q

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

A

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)

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3
Q

the adjective actually changes meaning, depending upon…

A

whether it is used with ser or estar.

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

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4
Q

To address condition, use…

A

Estar

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

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5
Q

To address an essential quality use…

A

ser.

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

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6
Q

I am (permanently)

A

soy.

soy juan (I’m john)

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7
Q

I am (temporarily)

A

estoy

estoy en Madrid (I’m in Madrid)

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8
Q

you are (permanently) [informal]

A

eres

eres muy guapa (you’re very beautiful)

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9
Q

you are (temporarily) [informal]

A

estás

estás triste (you’re sad)

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10
Q

he/she is (permanently)

A

es

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

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11
Q

he/she is (temporarily)

A

está

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

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12
Q

you are (permanently) [formal]

A

es

usted es elegante (you are elegant)

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13
Q

you are (temporarily) [formal]

A

está

usted está brillante (you are brilliant)

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14
Q

we are (permanently)

A

somos

somos el martines (we are the martins)

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15
Q

we are (temporarily)

A

estamos

estamos en vacación (we are on vacation)

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16
Q

you (guys) are (permanently) [informal]

A

sois

sois genial (you (guys) are great)

17
Q

you (guys) are (temporarily) [informal]

A

estáis

estáis feliz (you (guys) are happy)

18
Q

they are (permanently)

A

son

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

19
Q

they are (temporarily)

A

están

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

20
Q

you (guys) are (permanently) [formal]

A

son

ustedes son asombroso (you (guys) are amazing)

21
Q

you (guys) are (temporarily) [formal]

A

están

ustedes están divertido (you (guys) are fun)

22
Q

To express the hour, day, and date use…

A

ser

Son las dos (It’s two o’clock)

23
Q

To express place of origin use…

A

ser

Soy de Colombia (I’m from Colombia)

24
Q

To express occupation use…

A

ser

Soy carpintero (I’m a carpenter)

25
Q

To express nationality use…

A

ser

ella es guatemalteca (she’s Guatemalan)

26
Q

To express religious or political affiliation use…

A

ser

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

27
Q

To express the material something is made of use…

A

ser

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

28
Q

To express possession use…

A

ser
{la pluma es de emilio
the pen is emilio’s}

la pluma es de emilio (the pen is emilio’s)

29
Q

To express the relationship of one person to another use…

A

ser

Rogelio es el esposo de Marta (Roger is Marta’s husband)

30
Q

with certain impersonal expressions use…

A

ser

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

31
Q

To tell where an event is taking place use…

A

ser

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

32
Q

with adjectives to express inherent, or essential qualities use…

A

ser

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

33
Q

To express geographic or physical locations use…

A

estar

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

34
Q

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

A

estar

La sopa está fría (The soup is cold)

35
Q

with many idiomatic expressions use…

A

estar

estar en las nubes (to daydream)

36
Q

with the progressive tenses use…

A

estar

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

37
Q

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

fill in the blank

A

ser

Juan es médico (John is a doctor)

38
Q

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

A

change the meaning of the adjective.

El profesor está aburrido (The professor is bored)
El profesor es aburrido (The professor is boring)

Spanish Grammar (11 decks)

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