I have some questions about using ser or estar
1.If I am from a place I would use soy and if I am in a place I would use estoy like Yo soy or Yo estoy??
2.If I'm saying you are sick, I would use estás-form of estar?
3.¿Dónde están ellos? Correct?
Spanish - Mary Beth, Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 3:17pm
Sorry the post is so odd but I couldn't actually post the Yo soy de Brazil or Yo estoy en Brazil for the first two or the other two where I asked if you were enfermo would I use the estar form
1l, 2., 3., = all YES.
For the last question = yes, as well.
Sra
P.S. The difference between "ser" and "estar"
SER & ESTAR:
USES OF ESTAR:
Estar is used to express:
Location or position.
Health.
Temporary change from a normal state or condition.
(With common adjectives such as: caliente, cansado (-a), contento (-a_, frío (-a), limpio (-a), lleno (-a), ocupado (-a), sucio (-a), triste) EXCEPTION: feliz takes ser.
Result of an action, with past participles.
Continuous action, with present participle.
USES OF SER:
Ser is used to express:
Characteristics of a more permanent nature.
Origin, possession and material, with “de”
Occupations and nationalities.
Time and dates.
Impersonal expressions.
Actions with past participles.
NOTE: Some adjectives may be used with either “estar” or “ser” but the meaning changes.
Alberto es bueno (malo). = Albert is good (bad).
Alberto está bueno (malo). = Albert is well (ill).
Alberto es pálido. = Albert is pale complexioned.
Alberto está pálido hoy. = Albert is (seems) pale today.
Alberto es listo. = Albert is clever.
Alberto está listo. = Albert is ready.
Adjectives used with “ser” or “estar” must agree with the subject in number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine).
María está cansada. = Mary is tired.
Son ricos. = They are rich.
Sra
Thank you for the explanation-it was really helpful-I'm not so confused anymore-thanks again
1. When talking about where you are from, you would use the verb "ser." So, if you are from Brazil, you would say "Yo soy de Brasil." On the other hand, when talking about where you are currently located, you would use the verb "estar." So, if you are currently in Brazil, you would say "Yo estoy en Brasil."
2. Yes, when saying "you are sick" in Spanish, you would use the verb "estar." So, it would be "Tú estás enfermo/a" if addressing someone informally or "Usted está enfermo/a" if addressing someone formally.
3. The sentence "¿Dónde están ellos?" is correct. It translates to "Where are they?" and uses the verb "estar" to talk about the location of the subject "ellos" (they).