Five-minute Spanish Lessons - Lesson 8.

SER / ESTAR ("to be") and changes of meaning.

As all learners of Spanish know, the use of SER and ESTAR can be confusing. Here is one aspect of use which involves a change of meaning in words according to whether we use one or the other.

Es bueno /a.

He's / She's good (quality of a skill - ie. "good at sport"; "a good singer" or morally good.)

Es malo /a.

He's / She's bad (quality of a skill, or morally bad)

Es católico /a.

He's / She's a Catholic.

Es listo /a.

He's / She's clever.

Es rico /a.

He's / She's rich.

Es verde.

He's / She's / It's dirty, smutty. (pornographic)

Also, of course, It's green (in colour).

Es atento /a.

He's / She's courteous / helpful.

Es vivo /a.

He's / She's sharp-witted.

Es negro /a.

He's / She's black. (colour of skin)

Now compare the same words combined with the verb ESTAR:

Está bueno /a.

He's / She's sexy.

Está malo /a.

He's / She's sick / ill.

Está católico /a.

He's / She's well. (in health)

Está listo /a.

He's / She's ready.

Está rico /a.

It's tasty. (food to eat)

Está verde.

It's unripe. (fruit)

Está atento /a.

He's / She's attentive. (eg. in class)

Está vivo /a.

He's / She's / It's alive. (ie. not dead)

Está negro /a.

He's / She's furious, angry.

The right choice: SER or ESTAR, as you can see is therefore essential at times if you want to avoid embarrassment!

 

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