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Welcome! Today we will learn how to choose between two very important Spanish verbs that both mean 'to be'.
In English, we use the verb 'to be' for everything. In Spanish, we have two different verbs: ser (to be) — pronounced 'SAIR', and estar (to be) — pronounced 'ehs-TAR'.
We use ser (to be) for permanent traits. Think of DOCTOR: Description, Occupation, Characteristics, Time, Origin, and Relationship. For example, 'Yo soy inteligente' (I am intelligent).
We use estar (to be) for temporary states and locations. Think of PLACE: Position, Location, Action, Condition, and Emotion. For example, 'Yo estoy feliz' (I am happy).
Let us analyze a concrete case. If you say 'El café es frío' (The coffee is cold), you mean coldness is its permanent style, like iced coffee. If you say 'El café está frío' (The coffee is cold), you mean your hot coffee has cooled down.
Determine whether to use 'ser' or 'estar' to translate: 'My brother is in Spain today.'
- Identify the core meaning of 'to be' in this sentence. The sentence says my brother is physically located 'in Spain'.
- Recall our two rules: SER is for permanent traits (DOCTOR) and ESTAR is for temporary states or locations (PLACE).
- Since 'in Spain' describes a location, we must use the verb ESTAR.
- Find the correct form of ESTAR for 'my brother' (he / él). The correct form is 'está'.
- Combine the words to complete your sentence: 'Mi hermano está en España hoy' (My brother is in Spain today).
