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Sorry, the title should be: Ser in the Imperative

When would be an appropriate time to use ser in the imperative? I'm learning imperative conjugations right now, and I can't think of a time to use ser in the imperative. I could see estar, i.e. "be there" or "be happy", but I can't think of an instance where it would be appropriate to use ser.

Posted Nov 25, 2009
| Edited by oceanix Nov 25, 2009
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4 Answers

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Izanoni1

280Ezrider said:

Que seas feliz = Be happy (ser)

to which Oceanix asked:

Why would I use ser while saying be happy, since happy is an emotion?

I will try to explain this as best I can.

Estar

If you were to use estar, it would imply a transitory type of happiness. For example, if my son opens a present on his birthday, it may make him excited and happy for the moment. Minutes later, he and his cousin might get into an argument that makes him cry and his happiness is forgotten. This happiness is transitory and based on the emotional state of the person.

Ser

On the other hand, I wish that my son "have a happy life" or that "he be generally happy with his life." This type of happiness is not the same as the transitory emotional happiness, but speaks more of a general wish for good things for him in his life. I want his life to be a happy one. More specifically I want the nature of his life to be a happy one. I want him to be happy by nature (as a result of having a good life). I would use ser to convey this because I am referring to his very nature (or the nature of his life) and not to a transitory emotional state.

Right now, I might be sad (estar), but by nature I am a happy person (ser) and have a happy life.

No estoy feliz ahora pero por lo general soy feliz.

I feel like I have not explained this adequately, but I hope that it helps.