Ser, Estar, AR, ER, IR

[DaveG]

I am just starting to learn spanish and already having a tough time. What is all this Verb stuff in laymen terms? I mean Ser verb Yo Soy = "I AM" but Estar verb Estoy = "I AM" as well and what about these AR,ER and IR verbs?

[CrOtALiTo]

Firstly, I bid you welcome.

Now it come the explication above your question.

Ser- To be
Estar- Are, Is first person and second person also in third person.

The endings Ar, Er, Ir, they only are endings of verbs or words, for example, eat (Comer), Go (Ir), To be (Estar).


I hope you can understand me.

[laepelba]

As an English speaker learning Spanish, Dave, I also say "welcome!" o, "Bienvenido!" You will find the people here to be EXTREMELY helpful, patient, and SOOOOooo encouraging!!

It has helped me to understand that the verb "ser" typically indicates a more permanent condition. Like "Yo soy de Buffalo, New York." It means that I am from Buffalo, NY - which can never change. It's a permanent thing about me.

But "estar" is a temporary thing. For example, "Yo estoy leyendo un libro." It means that I am reading a book. I obviously don't have a book surgically attached to my hand. I am only reading it right now. So it's temporary.

I think that it's a bit confusing to learn ser & estar at first. There are also very many idiomatic usages that will creep in. Keep learning, keep practicing, keep ASKING questions!

I'll let the grammarians answer the "-ar", "-er" and "-ir" question. The verb conjugations really knock me out!

[poli]

The Tomísimo dictionary gives presents the verb in question in all its forms. Just pick a verb, look it up, and you will see how much the dicionary will help.

[CrOtALiTo]

Good done laepelba, you have explained him very well, keep improving your Spanish.

[laepelba]

I'm having a BLAST learning it, Crotalito! :D

[Rusty]

This thread (http://forums.tomisimo.org/showthread.php?t=260) tells you all you need to know about when to use SER and ESTAR. Because this question comes up so often, you'll find this post pinned to the top of the grammar forum (it'll always be on top).

The three classes of verbs are just that - three different types of verbs. Each type of verb has its own conjugation rules. Many chapters can be written about verb conjugation, so do yourself a favor - take everything one bite at a time! Eventually, it'll all make sense.
Most people choose HABLAR, COMER and VIVIR as a model for each verb type. They then learn how to conjugate each type into the present tense (the -AR ending is stripped off and a person-appropriate ending is added; the -ER ending is stripped off and a person-appropriate ending is added; the -IR ending is stripped off and a person-appropriate ending is added). Then they tackle another tense. And on it goes.

SER and ESTAR are irregular verbs, as far as conjugation goes, but are still classified by their ending (-ER and -AR). Adding another irregular verb to the list, IR, you've now got a model from each verb class (-AR, -ER- and -IR). Because these verbs are irregular, they deviate from the simpler rules the regular verbs 'enjoy'. I suggest you start with the regular verbs I listed above first. Tackle the irregular verbs only after you've got a handle on the regular verbs.

[DaveG]

Great!!!! Thanks to all and thanks to laepelba from your expanation I got it... estar = Sick, walking, drinking and so on Ser = Arm, Leg, Building, Work and so on.....

Now I am still confused on the IR,ER and AR thing but will study it

Thanks All!!!!!

[Jessica]

Welcome, Dave. what don't you understand about the verb endings? I will try to help you ;)

[DaveG]

I understand the stem and how to add the ending but I am confused on what ending (ir,er or ar) to use. Take "You Work" = trabajas the "-as" is because it is "you" so tu trabjas can it not be trabajes as well??? tu trabjes??
Why or why not??? I just don't know when to change the stem to ir,er or ar

Thanks

[laepelba]

You don't change the ending of the word. Start with the word in its infinitive form. For example, "work" is "trabajar". It's always going to be an "-ar" verb. Then you conjugate it based on that fact.

Take a look at what Rusty wrote about the verbs HABLAR, COMER, and VIVIR. Regular "-ar" verbs will conjugate like hablar does. Regular "-er" verbs will conjugate like comer. Regular "-ir" verbs will conjugate like vivir.

If you use Tomisimo's dictionary (see the menu bar at the top of this page), and type in any infinitive Spanish verb (like trabajar, hablar, comer, or vivir), you will see a link next to that word that says "conjugate". When you click through that link, it will show you the conjugation for that verb.

[ElDanés]

Yes, -ar, -er and -ir are three groups, each having their own conjugation table. The -a-, -e- and -i- are called the thematic vowels, as they are reflected somewhat in the different conjugation tables (notice that the conjugation tables of -er and -ir are much alike).

hablar


hablo
hablas
habla
hablamos
habláis
hablan

comer


como
comes
come
comemos
coméis
comen

vivir


vivo
vives
vive
vivimos
vivís
viven

[DaveG]

Ahhhh... I got it now. Depending on what the verb ends with in it original form. If ending in ar use whatever ending for I,You,We,them... Same for IR and ER. I guess I got confused learning this first since I just started and do not know many Spanish verbs/words, if any at all.

[laepelba]

RIGHT! In the lists for the conjugations, the order is:
- first person singular (I - "yo")
- second person singular (you - "tu")
- third person singular (him/her - "el/ella/usted")
- first person plural (we - "nosotros")
- second person plural (you - "vosotros")
- third person plural (they - "ellos/ellas/ustedes")

So you would say:
yo trabajo - I work
tu trabajas - you work
el/ella trabaja - he/she works
nosotros trabajamos - we work
vosotros trabajáis - ya'll work
ellos/ellas trabajan - they work

Does that answer your question?

[DaveG]

Yes it does!! Thanks!!!!! I guess I will be asking more stupid questions before to long :D

Now on to studying!!! or should I say

ahora tengo que estudio :D

[laepelba]

No such thing as a stupid question. I'm only about three months ahead of you in my own study. This is a GREAT place to ask ALL of the questions you want. Take a look through my previous posts - especially the early ones. :)

[tacuba]

Yes it does!! Thanks!!!!! I guess I will be asking more stupid questions before to long :D

Now on to studying!!! or should I say

ahora tengo que estudio :D

Ahora tengo que estudiar.

Good luck with your studies

[DaveG]

Another quick question. Can you use just the verb Ser or estar? If you say "I am" can you just say "soy" or do you have to say "Yo Soy" or "son" for "you are"? I know you can use just "soy" for I'm

thanks

[laepelba]

You've got it! "Soy una profesora." = "I am a teacher."

BUT ... be careful. "Son" is "they are". So you could say "Son de China." = "They are from China."

[Rusty]

The personal pronouns can always be omitted in 1st- and 2nd-person conjugations, singular or plural. To avoid ambiguity, the 3rd-person personal pronoun should be stated at least once.

1st person singular/plural: Soy chino. / Somos chinos.
2nd person singular/plural: Eres chino. / Sois chinos.
3rd person singular: Él es chino. Ella es china. Usted es chino. (Es chino can be said only when the person is already known.)
3rd person plural: Ellos son chinos. Ellas son chinas. Ustedes son chinos. (Son chinos can be said only when the person is already known.)