Do I use Estar or Ser form with a terminal illness?
2
votes
I know that you generally use estar when describing how you feel in terms of illness. However, what about in the case of someone who is terminally ill who is not expected to recover? This is not a temporary state.
So would it be: Mark está enfermo porque él tiene el cancer OR Mark es enfermo porque él tiene el cancer.
3205 views
updated Jun 13, 2010
posted by 004e13c4
3 Answers
1
vote
Temporary/permanent is a bad way to make the choice (and not the way Spanish speakers think about the issue). Read the numerous threads/articles about ser/estar for some better guidelines.
updated Jun 13, 2010
posted by samdie
I agree, it's a bad choice to make. At least I was willing to give it a shot, and I'm not afraid to make a mistake if it means I learn something from it. - amykay, Jun 12, 2010
The right attitude to have! - 004e13c4, Jun 13, 2010
:) - amykay, Jun 13, 2010
5
votes
"Mark está enfermo porque tiene cancer."
updated Jun 12, 2010
posted by 00e46f15
1
vote
Use "ser" if not expected to recover, and I'm sorry about your friend.
updated Jun 13, 2010
posted by amykay
Wrong. - samdie, Jun 12, 2010
Estaba enfermo por todo su vida y ahora está muerto. Both his illness and death are permanent. - samdie, Jun 12, 2010
What, I can't be sorry about his frined? jk... I read on another site to say "Soy enferma..." if you are chronically ill. I supose you still won't agree, but it makes sense to me... - amykay, Jun 12, 2010
You can say ie, Soy feliz (I am a happy person) or Estoy feliz (I am in a happy state). But with Enfermo, it is always Estar because Enfermo does not add to ones personality. - 005faa61, Jun 12, 2010
:) - amykay, Jun 12, 2010
Actually, my stepfather is dead--but thanks for the sentiment. I had heard that you use "ser" with permanent illness too--but I wanted to check. - 004e13c4, Jun 13, 2010
