Learn Spanish SER and ESTAR: Everything YOU Need to Know! 👊 [SPANISH LESSON 20]

Summary

In this video, Mariana from Spring Spanish explains the difference between the Spanish verbs 'ser' and 'estar,' which both translate to 'to be' in English but are used in different contexts. She highlights that 'ser' is used for permanent traits like nationality, occupation, or character, while 'estar' is used for temporary states like emotions or location. Mariana provides clear examples and tips, helping viewers understand when to use each verb. She also offers guidance on common mistakes, such as confusing 'ser aburrido' with 'estar aburrido,' and encourages viewers to continue learning through Spring Spanish's courses.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ser and Estar are two different verbs in Spanish for 'to be', and they are used in different contexts.
• 😀 Ser is used for permanent traits or qualities like nationality, occupation, or character.
• 😀 Estar is used for temporary states, feelings, moods, or locations.
• 😀 When describing your job, nationality, or physical traits, you use ser. For example, 'Soy canadiense' (I am Canadian).
• 😀 When talking about feelings, emotions, or temporary locations, you use estar. For example, 'Estoy cansada' (I am tired).
• 😀 In general, adjectives used with ser to describe yourself end in 'o' for men and 'a' for women. For example, 'Soy moreno' for men and 'Soy morena' for women.
• 😀 To ask someone where they are, you use '¿Dónde estás?' and respond with temporary locations like 'Estoy en mi casa' (I am at home).
• 😀 Time is an exception: to express time, you use ser, not estar. For example, 'Es la una' (It’s one o'clock).
• 😀 It's important not to confuse 'ser' and 'estar' with feelings and descriptions. For example, 'Soy aburrido' means 'I am boring,' while 'Estoy aburrido' means 'I am bored.'
• 😀 Mastering these two verbs will allow you to communicate confidently about yourself, your emotions, and your location in Spanish.
• 😀 By learning chunks of common phrases, like '¿Dónde estás?' and '¿Qué hora es?', you'll be able to speak Spanish more naturally over time.

Q & A

What is the difference between 'ser' and 'estar' in Spanish?

'Ser' is used to describe permanent traits or characteristics, such as nationality, occupation, and physical features, while 'estar' is used for temporary states or conditions, such as emotions, health, and location.

Can you give examples of when to use 'ser'?

'Ser' is used when talking about permanent qualities, such as: 'Soy estadounidense' (I am American), 'Soy abogado' (I am a lawyer), or 'Soy rubia' (I am blonde).

How do you express emotions in Spanish using 'estar'?

To express emotions, you use 'estar'. For example: 'Estoy feliz' (I am happy), 'Estoy triste' (I am sad), or 'Estoy cansado/a' (I am tired).

What are some common mistakes when using 'ser' and 'estar'?

A common mistake is using 'ser' instead of 'estar' when talking about temporary states, such as saying 'Soy aburrido' (I am boring) when you actually mean 'Estoy aburrido/a' (I am bored).

Why do we use 'ser' when talking about time in Spanish?

In Spanish, even though time is temporary, we use 'ser' to ask and tell the time. For example: '¿Qué hora es?' (What time is it?), 'Es la una' (It is one o'clock).

How should I respond if someone asks '¿Dónde estás?' (Where are you?)?

You should use 'estar' to describe your current location, like: 'Estoy en mi casa' (I am at home), 'Estoy en el restaurante' (I am at the restaurant), or 'Estoy atorado/a en el tráfico' (I am stuck in traffic).

What is the rule about adjectives for describing people using 'ser'?

When using 'ser' to describe yourself, adjectives generally end in 'a' if you're a woman (e.g., 'Soy morena' – I am brunette), and in 'o' if you're a man (e.g., 'Soy moreno' – I am brunette).

What do we mean by 'permanent traits' in Spanish?

Permanent traits refer to characteristics that don't change frequently, such as nationality ('Soy estadounidense' – I am American), occupation ('Soy profesor' – I am a teacher), and physical features like hair color or body type.

How can I naturally start using 'ser' and 'estar' without thinking too much about the rules?

By learning and repeating chunks of sentences like '¿Cómo estás?' (How are you?) or '¿De dónde eres?' (Where are you from?), you'll gradually start using 'ser' and 'estar' correctly without overthinking it.

What should I do to improve my Spanish speaking skills in terms of using 'ser' and 'estar'?

To improve, practice using 'ser' and 'estar' in everyday conversations, watch Spanish videos, and pay attention to how native speakers use these verbs in context. You can also take advantage of learning materials that break down these verbs into chunks.