proper use of estar

Question

Why is is correct to say esta limon está ácido. This lemon is acidic. Why not esta limon es ácido. does this not mean the same thing??

Answer 1

I guess you could say 'es ácido' but that would mean it's a type of acidic lemon. But by saying 'está ácido' you are saying that this lemon is particularly acid as far as lemons go - just referring to the state that this lemon is in, different to the norm'. I hope that makes sense

Great picture Kiwi. - gringojrf, Feb 29, 2012

:) gracias - Kiwi-Girl, Feb 29, 2012

Answer 2

Hi Les.

Actually I believe that "es" would be the right verb-form to use because you are describing a "characteristic" of the lemon. Characteristics of people and things use ser and not estar.

In this case, I think you would be understood using either one.

Cheers

Answer 3

• Limones son ácidos. Limes are acidic. General characteristic of limes.
• Esta limón está ácido. This lime is acidic. Meaning more than normal.

Yes, gringo. It should be limón (sing.) and limones (plural). In the plural version, the stress would naturally fall on 'mon' so there's no need for an accent there. - Goldie_Miel, Feb 29, 2012

By the way, lime is "lima" (except in MX). - Goldie_Miel, Feb 29, 2012

Thanks for the accent help. I learned my Spanish in Mexico. - gringojrf, Feb 29, 2012

Actually limón in Mexico is a key lime in the US. - gringojrf, Feb 29, 2012

Isn't being acidic a "normal characteristic" of this particular lemon? - mtmonadnock, Mar 1, 2012

"Los limones", "Este limón" ;) - Cordobesa, Mar 1, 2012