Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


Ser vs. estar usage that is different from my textbook

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old February 20, 2016, 10:44 AM
one-eyebrow-up one-eyebrow-up is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
Native Language: English
one-eyebrow-up is on a distinguished road
Ser vs. estar usage that is different from my textbook

Hi! I'm teaching myself Spanish, and my textbook says there are four times to use estar: location, health, mood, and personal opinion about taste or appearance.

However, when I use online translation services to check my work, the last category seems incorrect. I never see "El pescado está delicioso" or "Ella está hermosa". I always see "El pescado es delicioso" and "Ella es hermosa." Is my textbook incorrect about the last category?

Also, I have noticed that estar is used with limpio/sucio, which doesn't match any of the four categories for estar. Are there any other categories besides location, health, and mood where I am supposed to use estar?
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old February 20, 2016, 01:13 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,370
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Have a look here.

Describing character is what you're confusing, I think.
If something is characteristically delicious, use ser. If it surprises you that something is suddenly delicious, use estar.
If someone is characteristically beautiful, use ser. If you are surprised by someone's sudden beauty, use estar.

Something is not usually dirty (characteristically), so we use estar.

Someone's health is either characteristic, or is a change from the norm. For the first condition, use ser. For the second, use estar.
Ser enfermo (sickly person)
Estar enfermo (sick person)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old February 23, 2016, 02:07 PM
Joe Strider Joe Strider is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
Native Language: English
Joe Strider is on a distinguished road
Whenever I think about the usages of estar, i like to break it down into three categories: feeling/condition, location, and gerund. In reference to the first, we use estar to talk about things that are true at a given point, but not an inherent quality of the noun. Since adjectives like hermoso and delicioso usually describe inherent qualities of nouns, it wouldn't usually be appropriate to use estar. As Rusty said, the only exception would be if you are describing something that breaks the norm of what you expect.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
estar, ser, ser vs estar

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Ser Estar jellybabe Grammar 2 November 07, 2013 08:44 PM
Help with ser or estar Ladydagh Practice & Homework 3 October 23, 2011 10:07 AM
Estar/ser cmon Practice & Homework 4 February 28, 2009 12:58 PM
Ser o estar bartalmo Introductions 8 February 22, 2009 12:38 AM
Ser, Estar, AR, ER, IR DaveG Grammar 22 January 30, 2009 08:59 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:51 PM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X