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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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