CSG039

28

Complete Spanish Grammar

Let’s start with a key distinction: ser is used to describe permanent or morę lasting situations, while estar indicates location and what are considered temporary situations.

Soy Gracie la.    lam Graciela.

Ahora, estoy en Madrid.    I amin Madrid nerw.

Trying to reason out what is permanent and what is temporary will not help us in all situations where either ser or estar may be used. The initial, basie distinction between permanent and temporary conditions is not absolute, and, on occasion, may appear somewhat confusing. Some-times the uses of these two verbs seem to defy logie:

jEsta muerto!    He is dead!

Is death not permanent? As you become familiar with their uses, itwill be easier to choose which of these two verbs you will need to communicate your meaning.

Wlieii Is Ser Used in Spanish?

Use ser to indicate:

• the identity of the subject (person, thing, or event).

Soy Pedro.

Este es el mercado.

El 4 de julio es la independencia de los Estados Unidos.

• someone's occupation or profession.

I am Pedro.

This is the market.

TheFourth of fuly is the independence (day) of the United States.

Raul es dentista.    Ra,ul is a dentist.

Somos estudiantes.    We are students.

Notę that the indefinite article lin, una, unos, or unas is omitted in Spanish when stating a profession following the verb ser. The indefinite article is used if an adjective modifres the occupation.

Eres un buen estudiante.    You are a good student.

• essential or inherent qualities not likely to change such as nationality, morał attributes, and religion.

Guacamole i s aMexican dish. Felicia is Guban.

Mr. Benigno is very honest. Delia s family is Catholic.

El guacamole es un piąto mejicano. Felicia es cubana.

El seńor Benigno es muy honrado. La familia de Delia es católica.

Remember that adjectives and nouns of nationalities are not capitalized in Spanish.

• characteristics of physical appearance and personality. They may also be considered inherent. A person’s appearance may change: one’s hair may be colored, for instance, but the results are considered lasting if not permanent.

Gharley es alto, rubio y simpatico.    Charley is tali, blond, and pleasant.

Antes, Rosa era pelirroja. Ahora,    Before, Rosa used to be a redhead. Now she

es rubia.    is blond.

relationships. Even after the death or dissolution of someone or something, a relationship is expressed with a form of ser. Relationships are examples of identity.