I need some help with estar and ser please

Question

I'm in school doing some schoolwork. I'm in Spanish class right now. Is this correct? "Usted _está _ de Madrid?" (jeje, Just in general, Heidita, it's an actual question on my assignment) Would that be correct? Isn't the rule that if for example, my assignment says "usted ____de Madrid that since it follows "de" it has to be estar? My teacher is gone and we have a substitute teacher....so....yea

Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Look at #5 "Origin":

ser y estar

"As the place a person is from or the material something is made from is not going to change we use ser for origin."

Answer 2

Or, to explain it in a slightly easier way to remember, if you're talking about nationality you always use "ser" because it is origin and because it is a defining characteristic.

Answer 3

HI sarah, I can see you already got your answer. But I can't follow this rule...after de you have to use estar?May be if you give us an example?

Answer 4

Hi.

There is an absolutely fantastic reference article regarding this topic at: http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/100040/ser-and-estar

It is so helpful to have the trick of using the mnemonics of "D.O.C.T.O.R." for instances of ser, and "P.L.A.C.E." for instances of estar.

Hope this helps and good luck in class.