How do you say "I am..." when you are describing your personality?

Question

How do you say "I am..." when you are describing your personality?

ex. "I am" cómica.

Answer 1

No, it's soy, because it's a characteristic.

See Ser vs Estar

Answer 2

You would not use estoy or any other form of the verb estar. When describing your personality, you need to use a conjugation of the verb Ser. For example:

Somos graciosos - We are funny

Eres amable - You are nice

Estar would be used for more transient conditions, such as emotions

Estoy enojado - I am angry (but it will pass)

Estamos listos - We're ready

I would follow the link that Greg provided if you want a good explanation of how these verbs differ. You might also try the Learn Spanish video lesson 1.11.

• Somos... estamos is estar. - NikkiRivera Oct 6, 2009
• Thanks Nikkis...sometimes I can't think and type at the same time. - Izanoni1 Oct 6, 2009
• Not a problem. :) - NikkiRivera Oct 6, 2009
• I wasn't sure, this helps me as well - BBnewgo Oct 6, 2009
• sure, but the word **amiable** does not exist in spanish. - zenejero Oct 6, 2009
View 2 more commments >>

Answer 3

I agree with Lzanoni above.

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Ser: is used for a personality trait or a persons nature.

Estar: is used for a persons emotions -- but it may not be that persons nature.

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Lets take a example using "feliz" with both "ser and estar" .

• "Soy feliz" means I am a happy person (it is my personality my nature)
• "Estoy feliz" means I am happy at this time (being happy my not be my personality or my nature -- but I am feeling happy)

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So the answer to your question is use "soy".

• "I" not "L" Izanoni not Lzanoni - Izanoni1 Oct 6, 2009

Answer 4

estoy cómica

• wrong. you should definitely check out the ser/estar videos. - zenejero Oct 6, 2009

Answer 5

I think it's estoy

• wrong again. check the Ser vs Estar videos. - zenejero Oct 6, 2009

Answer 6

Soy amable, pero algo tímida.

I am kind, but a bit shy.

Answer 7

it woud be "yo soy" i just learned that in spanish class and had to describe my self in a poem go to http://www.spanishdict.com/translation and it will translate all words to any language

• Maybe "yo soy" in class and in a poem; but not in every day conversation. - Daniel Oct 6, 2009
• What Daniel means is that you don't usually include the subject pronoun unless you are trying to emphasize the "I" or if your sentence requires it to avoid ambiguity (not necessary in the case of soy) - Izanoni1 Oct 6, 2009

Answer 8

Let me give my understanding of "Yo soy".

It is not wrong but it comes off too strong like you are bragging.

Answer 9

"Soy" means "I am", so "yo soy" actually means I I am, which doesn't really make sense!!!

• Actually: "Yo soy ...." would be "Me I am ......" - Daniel Oct 6, 2009

Answer 10

Ok, you would use soy if you wanted to say you were funny all the time. You would use esoty if you wanted to say you were funny in a certain moment or time. You can use or omit the word 'yo' depending on your poem.

• i meant estoy, typing :) - sunshinzmomm Oct 6, 2009

Answer 11

Yo soy...then what u want to say.