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pathall

May 14, 2006, 4:58 PM

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Está muerto

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I understand that 'estar' is used for temporary states, while 'ser' is used for permanent conditions. Why then is 'estar' used in 'He is dead" -- 'Está muerto'? I would think that being dead is pretty permanent.

Pat

quevedo

May 14, 2006, 7:09 PM

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Re: [pathall] Estoy vivo

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I understand that 'estar' is used for temporary states, while 'ser' is used for permanent conditions.

Not so.

Ser: Ontological, being, what. Soy lo que soy. I am what I am.

Estar: Accidental, state, how. Estoy cansado; estoy vivo; estoy aquí. I'm tired; alive; here.

Saludos vivos,

Quevedo

(This post was edited by quevedo on May 14, 2006, 7:19 PM)

zoeq1000

May 14, 2006, 7:12 PM

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Re: [pathall] Está muerto

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You bring up an interesting point. I am always watching my soy and estoy. I have seen people on Day of the Dead a couple of times now. They build altars with water and food that the person enjoyed in life. It looks to me like they don't think of death as permanent, just that it's not THIS life and the "dead" person is not really dead, but in another life. It's just a theory, however. I'm learning, too.

doogie

May 15, 2006, 3:32 PM

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Re: [zoeq1000] Está muerto

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RE: The food and drink offered to the dead. An interesting practice isn't it? My theory, for whatever it's worth, I'm no expert, I think they are just trying to somehow maintain contact with their loved one. They're "in denial" as the saying goes. I don't think there's illusions that the person is alive in body somewhere else.
By the way, I love Don Julio Añejo (tequila), so if anyone who cares is listening, I'd prefer to be offered it while I'm still alive.
Doogie,
Tapatío de corazón

Rolly

May 15, 2006, 6:21 PM

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Re: [doogie] Está muerto

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How does food and drink differ from flowers or fancy headstones?

Rolly Pirate

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