Estoy soltero or soy soltero? To say I am single?
When asked, are you married? No estoy soltero, No estoy casado or would you use Soy? I am thinking Estar (estoy) because the condition might not be permanent, correct? Thanks
5 Answers
Hi and welcome to the forum!
In my experience (Mexico, Guatemala, etc.) you can say either "Soy soltero" or "Estoy soltero" as well as "Soy casado" or "Estoy casado."
I am thinking Estar (estoy) because the condition might not be permanent
Try not to think in terms of "permanent" and "temporary" with Ser vs. Estar because it'll confuse you. Ex. 1) Está muerto (correct) and pretty darn permanent 2) Soy estudiante and very likely temporary.
Rather....
Estoy = location, condition, emotions, etc.
Soy = character, identity, description, etc.
Edit: I hear "estoy casado" more often and that's the phrase that I use--Estoy casada.
Mariana and Jubilado are right. It´s not a question of time but of state of mind of the person answering the question about being married. If a woman´s entire life revolves around her family - happily or not - she will say "soy casada" (I am a married person / this is who I am). If a man says "estoy casado," he is saying that he is in a marriage, maybe good and maybe not so good. On legal documents, ser is used.
The same concept is used for the word "happy" and others. IE: "Soy feliz" .... "I am a happy person." "Estoy feliz" ....... "I am happy" (my state of mind).
Soy casado ( I know that could change but at this moment in time that is mi estado civil, it is just like ocupations it takes the verb ser. it is a concrete fact) however i usually say estoy casado ( just to keep my wife on her toes. ) It's a good job she doesn't read my posts.
Estoy soltero (for the time being, but who knows how much longer... I might be engaged but unmarried).
Soy soltero (y sin compromiso) states that I am single and unattached and perhaps I don't have a girlfriend or am not engaged to one.
Makes sense and thank you for the prompt and clear explanation
