Using past participle of Ser (sido)

Question

Hi All,

This is not exactly a question but rather an invitation for a group discussion to clear out our doubts regarding the said subject/topic.

Now The exact usage of past participle of Ser (he sido, has sido etc.) corresponds to the English construction "have been" .. But I have noticed many natives speaking differently.. Please take a look at the example below :

English : I have been friends with Jimmy since childhood

now If I being an English speaker would translate it to Spanish, according to my English logic I would translate it as follows:

My Spanish Translation : "He sido un amigo de Jimmy desde la infancia" **But I heard a native saying : Guardo mi amistad con Jimmy desde nuestra infancia **

Now the second one would literally mean "I have preserved my friendship with Jimmy since our childhood" which may not be too intuitive to an English speaker. **

So I would request you all to share your views about the usage of sido(past participle of ser) and should we or should we not use it with the natives (as it may be counter intuitive for them ,, the way it is for us if said otherwise

**

Answer 1

Haber sido is a very normal and often used construction. It is often followed by yet another verb form just like in English.

Sí, es verdad. - annierats, Mar 15, 2014

like .. i can say .. he sido beber leche cada dia desde mi infancia (haber + sido + infinitive).. this is what you mean RIGHT? - 00b055e0, Mar 15, 2014

or i can say .. el perrito en mi foto de perfil es mi perro (LEO) el que ha sido vivir conmigo desde su nacimiento . this is the kind of construction you spoke about right :) - 00b055e0, Mar 15, 2014

Answer 2

You can combine them, if you like:

Yo y Jimmy hemos sido amigos desde la infancia, siempre hemos guardado a nuestra amistad.

yes Annie, i completely agree with you, this could be a better way, but i am not to sure about why u have used the preposition a after guardar .. - 00b055e0, Mar 15, 2014

does guardar have a characteristic preposition "a" like jugar .. please let me know cos i am too weak with spanish prepositions. thanks - 00b055e0, Mar 15, 2014

definitely a vote up :) - 00b055e0, Mar 15, 2014

prepositions is my weak spot ,, when it comes to Spanish .. i always get stuck :( - 00b055e0, Mar 15, 2014

Answer 3

"He sido un amigo de Jimmy desde la infancia" me parece una frase perfectamente normal, mientras que "Guardo mi amistad con Jimmy desde nuestra infancia" suena bastante rebuscada e imprecisa.

haha .. gracias por su comentario valioso. pero porque cree que la segunda manera es rebuscada ? :) - 00b055e0, Mar 15, 2014

pero .. ud. tiene razon :) .. me parece lo mismo a mi :) - 00b055e0, Mar 15, 2014