Soy vs Estoy alto

Question

Hola todos.

Estudio un poco de los adjetivos que cambian el significado cuando fue usado con Soy vs Estoy y vi "soy alto" y "estoy alto" both as "I am tall" Es correcto? Qué significa?

Is this correct, and if so, what would the difference be?

Or is it something one might say to their girl in heels? ¨Estás alta esta noche¨ ???

That´s the only hypothetical I can think of right now, as I try to think of a temporary case of tall.

Any help or clarification appreciated.

Muchas gracias.

Answer 1

Good question.

Soy alto means you're tall, period. Like someone is 7'. But you know that already.

Or is it something one might say to their girl in heels? ¨Estás alta esta noche¨ ???

Exactly.

Your girlfriend puts on her tacones and she's now an inch taller than you, she could say, ahora estoy más alta que tu. Estar would be used in this case because it's temporary, she's only taller then you while she has her heels on.

I'm not aware of people using estar to indicate someone is inherently taller then you, but I do know that some people use ser and estar interchangeably to say someone is good looking:

eres muy bella amor = estás muy bella amor

It would be nice to hear a native speakers input on this.

Thanks Rodney. Note to self: Google tacones. - rogspax, May 20, 2013

Tacones = Heels. I just saved you 3 mins out of your day. :) - rodneyp, May 20, 2013

;) I was pretty tired after the races, so maybe 4. - rogspax, May 21, 2013

Answer 2

I asked a friend here in CR about the clowns on stilts and he said to use "son altos, muy altos o soy alto pero nunca usar están altos ni estoy alto".

Can you ask him about examples of when you would use estoy alto? - rodneyp, May 20, 2013

Answer 3

Oddly enough, a Google search reveals a ton of results when you search for "estoy alto".

I even saw saw things like "estoy alto, muy alto, delgado...". These were examples of people describing their physical appearance, which according to the grammar rules, means they should be using ser.

I suspect this is partly a regional thing.

Answer 4

Otro amigo me ayudó.

Estoy más alto o estoy muy alto es dos ejemplos que usan estoy. Quando quiere describir tu altura fisicia más otra altura puede usar estos dichos. Pero estoy alto no existe en gramática correcta.

También puede decir soy muy alto y soy más alto por tu altura física más otra altura pero no es claro si ninguno ve tu cambio en altura.

Dígame si mi español no es claro y yo vaya a explicar en inglés.

Gracias. Es perfectamente claro. - rogspax, May 21, 2013

Pura vida. - 00551866, May 21, 2013

Answer 5

Soy alto.