8.2 Use of
ser for description of characteristics of a subject
Both
ser and estar
are translated into English as to be. In Spanish, there
is a difference in the meaning of ser
and estar. A first
rule for using of estar was already given, which says
that estar is
more related to a location or a temporary condition.
In the same way, we can assume a general rule for ser,
which says that characteristics that are inherent to
a subject are described with the verb ser.
Furthermore it's quite a nice rule of thumb to say that
after estar it's rather unusual to put a noun. Some
few exceptions might be possible like:
Es medico, pero ahora está
de camarero = He is
a doctor but at the moment he is a waiter.
However, for other characteristics and
features of subjects ser
is used:
falsch:Maria está estudiante richtig:Maria es estudiante = Maria is a student
In
connection with a noun ser used (in the very most
of the cases)
Maria es una mujer. = Maria is a woman. (inherent feature)
Maria es rubia. = Maria is blond. (inherent feature)
Nosotros somos ingleses. = We are English. (inherent feature)
In connection
with an adjective it is to be decided whether ser
or estar is to be used
Ella está contenta. = She is content (temporary condition)
Nosotros estamos decepcionados. = We are disappointed.
(temporary condition)
Maria está cansada. = Maria is tired. (temporary condition)
Ella es guapa. = She is pretty.
(inherent feature)
Ella es lista. = She is clever.
(inherent feature)
Ser is used when the feature
of the subject described is
an inherent feature of the subject:
Juan es médico.
= Juan is a doctor.
Jaime es un imbécil.
= Jaime is an idiot.
Es una persona muy gentil.
=He is a
nice person.
Madrid es la capital de España.
=Madrid is the capital of Spain.
Éramos cinco cuando partimos y cuatro cuando volvimos.
=We were five when we left and four when we came back.
El Tower es un monumento impressionante.
=The Tower is an impressive monument.
estar
is used when describing a temporary condition
El café está caliente. = The coffee is hot.
Estamos muy cansados. = We are tired.
Está sin dinero.= He has no money. (He is without money.)
estar
is used when a location is described
Madrid is in Spain. = Madrid está en España.
He is in
Berlin. = Él está en Berlín.
He was in
Paris. = Él estaba en Paris.
The hat was in the box. = El sombrero estuvo en la caja.
The yoghurt was in the fridge = El yogurt estaba en el refrigerador.
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Es medico, pero ahora 
