Episode 79: Ser vs. Estar, Part 3
This is it, the final episode of our mini three-part series on Spanish's ser vs. estar. In Episode 77, we looked specifically at how and when to use ser, remembering the mnemonic SER + ¿SE TIENE? Then in Episode 78 we looked at how and when to use estar, using the mnemonic SÍ, Lo Está TIRAndo. So if you haven't listened to those, I recommend that you download those podcasts first before listening to this episode. Why? Because even though we'll do a quick recap of these two mnemonics, today's episode is where we put it all together and look at how using ser vs. estar in different scenarios actually changes a sentence's meaning! Plus, a mini self-test for your enjoyment, and we're also going to finish our cultural tip miniseries on Bolivia by looking at three unique cultural traditions! ¡Vámanos!
Just a quick note - if you would like more resources to help you with Ser vs. Estar and other Spanish grammar, check out the links in today's Show Notes! Full disclosure, some of them are Amazon affiliate links (For more information, see my Disclosure Policy), and I have clearly marked which ones. But they were invaluable in preparing for this episode series! So please enjoy! ^_^
Quick Recap on Using SER
In order to remember when and how to use ser, just remember SER + ¿SE TIENE?. So you have:
S for SE for the Passive Voice in ¿SE TIENE?;
E for Expresión for the expression ¿SE TIENE? to help you remember that you use it for possessives. (Is it had? Is it a possessive?); and
R for Revelación.
The revelation is in the acronym TIENE, for Time, Impersonal Expressions, Norms, and Event Locations.
Quick Recap on Using ESTAR
In order to remember when and how to use estar, just remember the phrase, SÍ, Lo Está TIRAndo.
SÍ is for Subjective Impressions;
Lo stands for Location;
Está TIRAndo, the entire phrase, is to remind you that estar can form the Present Progressive; and
TIRA in TIRAndo stands for:
Temporary Conditions, Idiomatic Expressions, and Result of an Action.
How Ser or Estar Changes the Meaning
Now let's put it all together and look at these 16 example sentences using both ser and estar. Try to figure out the different nuances before expanding the list for each sentence (which will give you the translations).
1. Mi amiga es un poco fría. / Mi amiga está un poco fría.
My friend is a little cold (as in, she is a cold person). / My friend is a little cold (as in temperature).
2. ¡Tu eres sucio! / ¡Tu estás sucio!
You are dirty! (As in, you have a dirty or gross mind!) / You are dirty! (As in, you are covered in dirt!)
3. Ursula es mala. / Ursula está mala.
Ursula is bad (evil). / Ursula is feeling bad (she feels sick).
4. Mi esposo es fuerte. / Mi esposo está fuerte.
My husband is strong (he has a strong character). / My husband is strong (he is physically strong).
5. La niña es muy atenta. / La niña está muy atenta.
The girl is very attentive (she pays attention to things). / The girl is currently paying attention.
6. Ellos son listos. / Ellos están listos.
They are clever (smart). / They are ready.
7. ¡Vosotros fuisteis tan aburridos! / ¡Vosotros estuvisteis tan aburridos!
You all were so boring! (As in, you all were very boring people.) / You all were so bored!
8. Los plátanos son verdes. / Los plátanos están verdes.
The bananas are green (the color). / The bananas are green (unripe).
9. Mi abuelo es vivo. / Mi abuelo está vivo.
My grandfather is lively. / My grandfather is alive.
10. ¿Cómo es tu niñera? Ella es muy feliz. / ¿Cómo está tu niñera? Ella está muy feliz.
How is your babysitter? She is very happy (she is a very happy person). / How is your babysitter? She is very happy (she is very happy right now, presumably because you were a very good charge).
11. Mi tía es vieja. / Mi tía está vieja.
My aunt is old. / My aunt looks old.
12. ¿Tu eres seguro? / ¿Tu estás seguro?
Are you safe? / Are you sure?
13. Mi comida es rica. / Mi comida está rica.
My meal is delicious (in general). / My meal is delicious (this particular meal is delicious).
14. Mi pelota es roja. / Mi pelota está roja.
My ball is red (it generally is). My ball is now red (something has happened to now make it red).
15. Mis nietos son altos. / Mis nietos están altos.
My grandsons are tall. / My grandsons have gotten tall.
16. Soy británica. / Estoy británica.
I am British. / I act British.
Mini Test!
And, finally, I've created a mini test of 20 questions just for you, so you can quiz yourself to see how well those mnemonics are working for you! :) Decide if the blank should be filled with the verb ser or estar, and then expand the sentence to find out if you're right! I've also included which part of the mnemonic can help you remember why the verb is either ser or estar, in case you want to revisit that part of past episodes., as well as the translation.
¡Buena suerte!
1. ¿Dónde Raúl?
Answer: ¿Dónde está Raúl? (Location) Where is Raúl?
2. ¿Dónde la fiesta de Julia?
Answer: ¿Dónde es la fiesta de Julia? (Event Location) Where is Julia's party being held?
3. El pastel cocinado.
Answer: El pastel estuvo cocinado. (Result of an Action) The cake was cooked.
4. El pastel cocinado por mi padre.
Answer: El pastel fue cocinado. (Passive Voice) The cake was cooked by my father.
5. Ellos peruanos, cristianos, y maestros de matematicas.
Answer: Ellos son peruanos, cristianos, y maestros de matematicas. (Norms: ethnicity, religion, and profession) They are Peruvians, Christians, and math teachers.
6. ¿Qué hora ? las tres.
Answer. ¿Qué hora es? Son las tres. (Time) What time is it? It is three o'clock.
7. ¿Qué día ? el 17 de octubre.
Answer: ¿Qué día es? Es el 17 de octubre. (Time) What day is it? It is October 17th.
8. ¿Cuánto cuesta esa muñeca? $35.
Answer: ¿Cuánto cuesta esa muñeca? Es $35. (Norms: cost) How much does that doll cost? It is $35.
9. de acuerdo.
Answer: Estoy de acuerdo. (Idiomatic Expressions) I agree.
10. Mi camisa de seda.
Answer: Mi camisa es de seda. (Norms: material something is made of) My shirt is silk.
11. maravilloso tener hijos.
Answer: Es maravilloso tener hijos. (Impersonal Expression) It is wonderful to have kids.
12. Él mi esposo.
Answer: Él es mi esposo. (Norms: relationship) He is my husband.
13. casada.
Answer: Estoy casada. (Temporary Conditions: changed state of being or condition, although one hopes that this change in condition is more permanent!) I am married.
14. No guapa, pero esta noche, sí, ¡ guapa!
Answers: No es guapa (Norms: characteristics), pero esta noche, sí, ¡está guapa! (Temporary Conditions: changed state of being or condition; you could also argue Subjective Impression) She isn't normally beautiful, but tonight, yes, she is!
15. El perro mío
Answer: El perro es mío. (Possessive) The dog is mine.
16. La ventana cerrada.
Answer: La ventana está cerrada. (Temporary Conditions: changed state of being or condition) The window is closed.
17. ¿Qué pasó? ¡Pedro gordo!
Answer: ¿Qué pasó? ¡Pedro está gordo! (Subjective Impressions) What happened? Pedro looks fat!
18. María nadando antes de que empiece la escuela.
Answer: María está nadando antes de que empiece la escuela. (Present Progressive) María is swimming before school starts.
19. Mi abuelo muerto.
Answer: Mi abuelo está muerto. (Temporary Conditions: changed state of being or condition) My grandfather is dead.
20. Los niños ya dormidos.
Answer: Los niños ya están dormidos. (Result of an Action)
How'd you do? If there are still things you have questions on or are unsure of, you can always revisit Episode 77 or Episode 78, or send me an email at contact@languageanswers.com. ^_^
And thus ends our miniseries on ser vs. estar! I hope you enjoyed it, or that it at least helped you out!