One of the common mistakes for beginners, is the tendency to confuse the use of the two verbs “ser” and “estar.” Despite the fact that both these verbs mean the English word “to be” and that both verbs are irregular in the present tense, if you use “ser” when you really mean to use “estar,” you can completely change the meaning of your sentence.
In a nutshell, the verb “ser” is normally used when speaking about permanent and inherent qualities. The verb “estar” is used to speak about temporary qualities or qualities that can change with time.
But there are certain words where you can completely change the meaning of a sentence depending on your choice of “ser” and “estar.” Let me give you some examples.
1a. ser rico/a (to be rich)
Soy rico. (I am rich)
1b. estar rico/a (to be delicious)
La comida está rica. (The food is delicious)
While “soy rico” may be a line a guy may use to impress a “muchacha,” I’d imagine that saying “estoy rico” may just get him slapped.
2a. ser aburrido/a (to be boring)
Ella es aburrida. (She is boring.)
2b. estar aburrido/a (to be bored).
Antes de la fiesta, estuve muy aburrido.
(Before the party, I was very bored.)
This one reminds me a of a señorita who I met in Colombia who was studying English and I took her out. We went out, she said to me more than once in English “You look very BORING.
”
Actually, what she meant to say in English is “You look very BORED.”
Well, that’s what I hope she meant to say.
The point I am making is that native Spanish speakers also make similar or related mistakes when learning English.
Here are some more examples of how your choice of “ser” and “estar” can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
3a. ser listo/a (to be smart)
El muchacho es listo. (The boy is smart)
3b. estar listo/a (to be ready)
El muchacho está listo. (The boy is ready)
4a. ser malo/a (to be bad)
Cuando yo era pequeño era muy malo.
(When I was little, I was very bad.)
4b. estar malo/a (to be sick/to go bad)
Hoy el juez está mal. (Today the judge is sick.)
5a. ser seguro/a (to be safe/secure)
Tus diamantes están seguros en la caja fuerte.
(Your diamonds are secure in the safe.buy wellbutrin online https://www.thesupplementreviews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/png/wellbutrin.html no prescription pharmacy)
El boxeo no es un deporte seguro.
(Boxing is not a safe sport.)
5b. estar seguro/a (to be sure)
¿Estás seguro que mi avión llega a las seis?
(Are you sure that my plane arrives at six?buy cipro online https://www.thesupplementreviews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/png/cipro.html no prescription pharmacy)
