ser or estar for permanent fixtures. Why?
"El parque está entre el parque y el banco". Why estar? The park, the pharmacy and the bank are permanent fixtures. they aren't going to change locations. Why should I use estar?
2 Answers
You may have heard that Ser is used for things which are permanent and Estar is used for things which are temporary. This is an over-simplification and not a good way to think of these verbs because you will end up with a lot of exceptions and confusion.
Try to forget you ever heard that. It is better to remember that Ser pertains to Identity (with all of its elements) and that Estar pertains to States of Being: Condition, Location, and Motion (the Present Progressive.)
"Estar is used for location : Los chicos están en el parque.
Physical or emotional well- being. Paco está bien pero su hermano está enfermo
To speak of emotional states. Estamos contentos con los resultados de la prueba
To speak of the condition.of a person or thing. La puerta está abierta.
It is used to form the present progressive tense. Yo estoy comiendo tacos, Yum!
There are other uses, but it would be a little too complicated to go into here.
Ser is used to talk of
Characteristics of people or things.
Mi papá es alto y guapo. La puerta es grande y pesada. My dad is tall and good looking. The door is large and heavy
Occupation. "Soy profesora" Manuel es estudiante" I'm a teacher, Manuel is a student.
Naionality Martíin es cubano. Su esposa es española. Martin is a Cuban. His wife is Spanish.
Possession. El libro es de María. The book is Maria's.
To tell time: Son las dos en punto. It's two o'clock on the dot.
To give the day and date. Hoy es el primero de Mayo. Today is the first of May.
Hoy es viernes. Today is Friday
To tell where an event will take place. El concierto es en el parque. The concert is in the park.
There are other uses of "ser" as well, but this will give you an idea. The subject is vast and can get a little complicated. In my college level textbook, the subject is divided up into little pieces and bits throughout eight lessons. Every lesson is at least 30 pages in length. So you see it is not an easy subject. But I covered all a beginner needs to know. Buena suerte en tus estudios.
