¿Dónde está el cine? -- ser vs. estar

Question

In the question '¿Dónde está el restaurante?', why do we use 'Está'?

I've bought a Oxford Spanish book, and I've realized that I've overlooked the use of this word a lot.

Wouldn't it make sense to say '¿Dónde es el restaurante'?

What does the Está mean? It obviously means 'is', but I just need reassurance.

Thanks, sorry for being a pain, I do know all this but it sometimes stumbles me.

Clarified the title of your question and fixed capitalization (no need to capitalize common nouns in Spanish). Welcome to the site and good luck with your studies! - StuartSD, FEB 13, 2012

With 766 views and six answers, I figured that you should get a vote! - mtmonadnock, FEB 13, 2012

Answer 1

I'd recommend viewing Lesson 1.11 on the Learn Spanish section of this site. There is a distinct difference between "estar" and "ser" though they both mean "to be" in English.

Answer 2

Ah, wounded by the ser/estar choice. It happens to many of us.

Welcome to the forum.

Answer 3

I agree with all of the answers you have received, but here is a quick example of how ser and estar are used differently.

Estoy en Alabama. = I am in Alabama. (= location)

Soy de Alabama. = I am from Alabama. (= origin)

Cheers,

Frank

Answer 4

Go onto http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/100040/ser-and-estar, your answer is there.

Answer 5

In Spanish you've got two verbs that mean "to be": ser & estar.

That "está" comes from 3rd person singular of "estar" and you use "estar" when talking about location.

Lesson 1.11 explains all the details.

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

¿Dónde está la piscina? La piscina está cerca de mi casa. ¿Dónde está el cine? ¿Dónde está la escuela? ¿Dónde está el supermercado? ¿Dónde está la heladería? ¿Dónde está la biblioteca? ¿Dónde está el hospital? ¿Dónde está la zapatería? ¿Dónde está tu casa?