Ser vs Estar

Question 1

What is ser used to talk about?

Answer 1

permanent or lasting attributes

Question 2

What is the acronym for Ser?

Answer 2

DOCTORA: 
Descriptions
Occupations
Characteristics
Time
Origin
Relationships
Actions (taken on someone/something)

Question 3

What is meant by Descriptions in DOCTORA? (5)

Answer 3

– essential qualities that define a person or thing and probably won’t change anytime soon
– names
– physical descriptions
– nationalities
– religions

Question 4

What is meant by Occupation in DOCTORA? (2)

Answer 4

– what someone does for a living
– what someone does as a hobby.

Basically, how someone makes money or fills their time

Question 5

When are indefinite articles used when talking about occupations with ser?

Answer 5

Only if extra information following the occupation is given

Es doctora.
She’s a doctor.

Es una doctora que tiene vocación por ayudar a sus pacientes.
She’s a doctor who’s dedicated to helping her patients.

Question 6

What is meant by Origin in DOCTORA? (2)

Answer 6

– the place a person or thing is from

– the material something is made of

Question 7

What is meant by Relationships in DOCTORA? (3)

Answer 7

– family ties
– friendship
– romantic relationships

Question 8

What is the acronym for Estar?

Answer 8

PLACE:
Position
Location
Action
Condition
Emotion

Question 9

What is meant by Position? (2)

Answer 9

• physical position

- posture

Question 10

Estar is used to describe all locations except for what?

Answer 10

A party or event

e.g. La fiesta es en mi casa

Question 11

What verb is used to describe death?

e.g. My great-grandfather is dead.

Answer 11

Estar

e.g. Mi bisabuelo está muerto.

Question 12

What is meant by Actions?

Answer 12

Describing ongoing actions and is often followed by a present participle

e.g. Estoy lavando los platos sucios.

Question 13

What is meant by Conditions? (3)

Answer 13

– temporary physical conditions
– temporary mental conditions
– things that are likely to vary
(over several hours, days, or even years)

Question 14

What is a helpful tip for remembering conditions?

Answer 14

Can I feel ____ ?

If yes: probably use estar
If no or not really: probably use ser

Estoy triste.
I’m sad.

Soy rubia.
I’m blonde.

Question 15

When can you use estar to describe a characteristic?

Answer 15

When describing those characteristics within a short period of time, or dependent on a certain context

Eres muy guapa.
You are very beautiful.

Estás muy guapa en ese vestido de novia.
You are very beautiful in that wedding dress.

(need to double check this)

Question 16

to be bored

Answer 16

estar aburrido

Question 17

to be good

Answer 17

ser bueno

Question 18

to be tasty/attractive

Answer 18

estar bueno

Question 19

to be a tiring person

Answer 19

ser cansado

Question 20

to be tired

Answer 20

estar cansado

Question 21

to be serious

Answer 21

ser grave

Question 22

to be seriously ill

Answer 22

estar grave

Question 23

to be clever

Answer 23

ser listo

Question 24

to be ready

Answer 24

estar listo

Question 25

to be bad

Answer 25

ser malo

Question 26

to be ill

Answer 26

estar malo

Question 27

to be conceited or vain

Answer 27

ser orgulloso

Question 28

to be proud

Answer 28

estar orgulloso

Question 29

to be dark-skinned

Answer 29

ser moreno

Question 30

to be tanned

Answer 30

estar moreno

Question 31

to be pale-skinned

Answer 31

ser pálido

Question 32

to be pale

Answer 32

estar pálido

Question 33

to be heavy/to be boring

Answer 33

ser pesado

Question 34

to be annoying

Answer 34

estar pesado

Question 35

to be rich

Answer 35

ser rico

Question 36

to be tasty

Answer 36

estar rico

Question 37

to be safe

Answer 37

ser seguro

Question 38

to be certain

Answer 38

estar seguro

Question 39

to be green

Answer 39

ser verde

Question 40

to be unripe

Answer 40

estar verde

Question 41

to be old

Answer 41

ser viejo

Question 42

to look old

Answer 42

estar viejo

Question 43

to be sharp

Answer 43

ser vivo

Question 44

to be alive

Answer 44

estar vivo

Question 45

I am tall, dark-skinned, and thin.

Answer 45

Yo soy alta, morena, y delgada.

Question 46

Bob is English

Answer 46

Bob es inglés.

Question 47

Andres is Catholic.

Answer 47

Andrés es católico.

Question 48

I am a Spanish teacher (f)

Answer 48

Soy profesora de español.

Question 49

They are gardeners

Answer 49

Son jardineros.

Question 50

She's a doctor who's dedicated to helping her patients.

Answer 50

Es una doctora que tiene vocación por ayudar a sus pacientes.

Question 51

I am working as a receptionist in a hotel (temporarily)

Answer 51

Yo estoy de recepcionista en un hotel.

Question 52

Mario was working as a waiter in a restaurant (temp)

Answer 52

Mario estaba de camarero en un restaurante.

Question 53

Amalia is intelligent, daring, and friendly.

Answer 53

Amalia es inteligente, atrevida, y amable.

Question 54

My husband is romantic and caring.

Answer 54

Mi esposo es romántico y cariñoso.

Question 55

Yesterday was my birthday.

Answer 55

Ayer fue mi cumpleaños.

Question 56

It's five twenty-five.

Answer 56

Son las cinco veinticinco.

Question 57

This chocolate is from Mexico.

Answer 57

Este chocolate es de México.

Question 58

My ring is made of gold.

Answer 58

Mi anillo es de oro.

Question 59

The chairs are made of wood.

Answer 59

Las sillas son de madera.

Question 60

Marcos is my ex-boyfriend.

Answer 60

Marcos es mi exnovio.

Question 61

Juana is my boss.

Answer 61

Juana es mi jefe.

Question 62

My grandmother is seated.

Answer 62

Mi abuela está sentada.

Question 63

I was lying down when you called me.

Answer 63

Estaba acostada cuando me llamaste.

Question 64

We are at the café right now and we will be at the movie theatre in 20 minutes.

Answer 64

Estamos en el café ahora y estaremos en el cine en 20 minutos.

Question 65

The party is at my house.

Answer 65

La fiesta es en mi casa.

Question 66

The concert was in the city

Answer 66

El concierto fue en la ciudad

Question 67

My great-grandfather is dead.

Answer 67

Mi bisabuelo está muerto.

Question 68

I am washing the dirty dishes.

Answer 68

Estoy lavando los platos sucios.

Question 69

My children are sick today.

Answer 69

Mis niños están enfermos hoy.

Question 70

What very describes loco? My father is a little crazy.

Answer 70

Estar (Spanish view it as a temporary state) Mi padre está un poco loco.

Question 71

She is happy because she got some flowers from her boyfriend.

Answer 71

Ella está contenta porque recibió unas flores de su novio.

Question 72

What is meant by Actions in DOCTORA?

Answer 72

When you’re talking about the *action* taken on something or someone e.g. La sopa fue cocinada por la familia Sánchez. The soup was cooked by the Sanchez family.

Question 73

to be boring

Answer 73

ser aburrido

Question 74

The soup was cooked by the Sanchez family.

Answer 74

La sopa fue cocinada por la familia Sánchez. | Ser because the focus is on the actual *action* of the family cooking the soup

Question 75

The soup is cooked and ready for us to eat.

Answer 75

La sopa está cocinada y lista para comer. | Estar because the focus is on the resulting *state* of the soup

Question 76

When do you use *ser* to describe food?

Answer 76

— about a type of food in general (which therefore doesn't change" e.g. "Sopa es deliciosa." La comida de este restaurante es deliciosa.

Question 77

When do you use *estar* to describe food?

Answer 77

When talking about a certain food on a certain occasion | "La sopa está deliciosa hoy."