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cbviajero

Oct 29, 2010, 11:00 AM

Post #1 of 7 (2950 views)

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ser or estar

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How do you know when to use which of the two,examples:soy casado,estoy cansado,soy feliz,estoy contento, etc.
Thanks
CB

Peter

Oct 29, 2010, 1:11 PM

Post #2 of 7 (2933 views)

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Re: [cbviajero] ser or estar

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In Reply To

How do you know when to use which of the two,examples:soy casado,estoy cansado,soy feliz,estoy contento, etc.
Thanks
CB

Feliz would depend if you were generally a happy person, or if at this moment you were happy about someting in particular (estar). As far as for marriage the choice seems to vary depending on whom you were speaking with. Mexican people I have asked have answered either way or indicated it is your choice. I guess it depends on how permanently you view the institution of marriage.

Your other selections all seem to be just about right to me.

Flaekingur

Nov 6, 2010, 8:05 PM

Post #3 of 7 (2844 views)

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Re: [cbviajero] ser or estar

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I use a fairly simple system, taking letters from the two words. SER usualy refers to a condition that is pERmanent, such as "El es Canadiense". The word Permanent' contains the last two letters of SER.
ESTAR usualy refers to a condition that is temporary. "Estoy caminando." The 'T' in estar indicates a Temporary condition and only estar has a 'T'.
There are exceptions to this but it is a good tool that works in 90% of situations.

esperanza

Nov 6, 2010, 8:47 PM

Post #4 of 7 (2830 views)

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Re: [Flaekingur] ser or estar

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Brilliant. Thanks for sharing, I know that your post will help a lot of people here!

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Maesonna

Nov 9, 2010, 9:42 AM

Post #5 of 7 (2778 views)

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Re: [Flaekingur] ser or estar

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And the other 10%? Here is a way to think of the exceptions that has been helpful for me: ESTAR refers to condition or “state”. In fact, the word “estado” (state) is etmylogically related to estar.

So, why do we use estar to say that a building is in a certain location, or a person is dead, when these are clearly permanent? It’s because location and life/death are considered to be states.

SER, in contrast, refers to the essential essence or being of something or someone. When it’s used as a noun, “ser” is the word for “being” as in “human being;” ser humano.

cbviajero

Nov 9, 2010, 10:38 AM

Post #6 of 7 (2767 views)

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Re: [Maesonna] ser or estar

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Thanks for your replies.I wish there was more activity in this forum,I find learning mexican spanish very enjoyable,not to
mention useful.
Regards
Chris

morgaine7

Nov 9, 2010, 11:25 AM

Post #7 of 7 (2758 views)

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Re: [cbviajero] ser or estar

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Someone on another forum remarked that estar applies both to where you are and "where you're at". Being a '60s relic, I found that very useful.

Kate