Subjunctive of ser?

Question

Un buen amigo no debe ser inseguro y maleducado.

I don't have to conjugate ser to sea there right? A good friend shouldn't be insecure and rude.

Answer 1

"no debe ser" - means "he should not be". It is correct to use an infinitive after a conjugated form of "deber". For example: "No debe hablar" - He should not talk. "No debemos correr". We should not run.

On the other hand "No sea" is a command form meaning "Don't be!". Examples: "No seas (tú) cochino!" - "Don't be a pig (rude, uncouth)". "No sea (Ud.) mal educado!" - "Don't be rude!" " No sean Uds.tan inseguros!" "Don't be so insecure!"

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

That's a good question, since I often see text such as "no sean cochinos" ('sean' is used to express the second person plural of the subjunctive outside of Spain) used to express a "should." But I have only seen it used in this way, not the "no sea" form.

Answer 3

Should I just say, " Un buen amigo no sea inseguro y maleducado."

Which one is better?

Answer 4

You're right.