Five Minute Study - SPANISH and ENGLISH compared

Guía de la gramática inglesa...

En estas lecciones breves se comparan el inglés hablado y coloquial con el español con el fin de ayudar al estudiante a apreciar tanto las diferencias como las similitudes lingüísticas entre los dos idiomas.

SER / ESTAR 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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