I got it wrong: Ser and Estar

Question

I was translating a paragraph in my workbook. i thought I knew ser and estar, but some of the times I guessed. I'm putting up the sentences I got wrong. If anyone could help me by explaining what my mistake was, I'd appreciate it.

That's why he's not very popular in some cities.

Por eso no es muy popular en unos ciudades.

*I wrote está muy popular figuring that being popular is a temporary condition.

For well educated people, they are very naive.

Para ser tan educados, son muy ingenuos.

*I wrote están ingenuos, same reason as above

They must be prepared for defeat.

Tienen que estar preparados para la derrota.

*Not sure what I was thinking

For what it's worth, I probably would have chosen estar for the first one, too. :-( - webdunce, Oct 17, 2010

Terrific question, Sihara. Thanks. Sounds like you have a good workbook, too. - Janice, Oct 17, 2010

Answer 1

HI sihara, the first two are characteristics, always with ser.

ser bueno, malo, popular....forget about the permanent - non-permanent rule

"Always" is too big a word, hehe. Perhaps this is not be best example, but think about "ser popular" vs "estar de moda". - bill1111, Oct 17, 2010

!! One can always say afterward: "I would not have gotten those two wrong"...and, indeed, I do not thing I would have. But I would not have known why. Thanks Heidita and Billstpor. - Janice, Oct 17, 2010

Answer 2

For the last one (ser preparados), it is true passive (ser + past participle...never estar + past participle).

Ser vs estar es muy difícil para nosotros anglohablantes. - webdunce, Oct 17, 2010

Answer 3

Hola:

Go to the following reference on this site for a great explanation and comparison of the two verbs.

Ser and Estar