“Ser” or “estar”: two verbs for one “to be”
CEFR A1 · part 1
edumaterial's parts within the level. The European framework does not subdivide them.
Every noun is “el” or “la”Putting “el” or “la” in front of a noun, including the ones that do not follow the -o /…Adjectives agree, and they come afterMaking the adjective match the noun in gender and number, and putting it in its usual…You do not say “yo” every timeLeaving out the subject pronoun when the verb ending already says who it is, and putting…“El café”, “los lunes”, “el español”Putting “el”, “la”, “los” or “las” where English puts nothing: with things in general…“Tú” or “usted”: one English “you”, two Spanish onesChoosing between “tú” and “usted”, and using the verb form that goes with each: “usted”…“Me gusta”: the sentence turns roundBuilding sentences with “gustar”, “encantar”, “doler”, “interesar” and “faltar”: the…The rule, in three lines
Ser says WHAT something is: identity, origin, job, material, and the time. Estar says WHERE it is and HOW it is right now: place, mood, a state that can change. Soy médico is my job; estoy cansado is how I am today.
The usual slip. Using ser for everything, because English has one verb. Soy en casa and soy cansado are the same mistake made twice.
Why it catches you out. English hands you one verb and no reason to split it, so you use the one you learnt first everywhere. The famous rule — permanent versus temporary — breaks on “está muerto”, which is about as permanent as it gets. The question that works: am I saying WHAT this is, or WHERE and HOW it is right now?