es gordo or está gordo?
In one of the SpanishDict lessons on the verb 'ser' (to be) one is instructed (see below) to use the verb 'ser' ( highlighted in bold font) to describe physical traits and personality. One example given is, él es(ser) gordo.
Does this mean that this Spanish phrase I read elsewhere is incorrect?
"Estoy (estar) muy gordo porque hago nada de ejercicio."
Because the individual is describing himself as fat (physical trait), according to SpanishDict, he should be using the 'ser' verb, e.g, "Soy muy gordo..." Correct? So instead of,él es (ser) gordo, should it not be, él está (estar) gordo?
Signed
soyOestoy está (es?) muy confundido 
> How would you describe yourself? Brunette? Smart? Athletic? In this lesson, you will learn how to use adjectives to describe yourself and > others. By the end of the lesson, you will understand how to use the > verb "ser" (to be) to describe physical and personality traits.
6 Answers
In addition to the above answers, remember that:
"Ser" is used to describe Characteriscs. La puerta es grande.
"Estar" is used to describe Conditions La puerta está abierta.
Carlos es gordo. That is his normal condition.
Now in the Case of "Carlos está gordo", this would indicate that he is normally slender, but due to his eating too much over a long period of time, he has gotten fat. He can slim down again.
I always look at ser versus estar in this type of context as the way things are and the way they are being.
Es gordo- he is a fat person, it is the way he is.
Está gordo- he is fat right now for some reason, but he is not a fat person (normally/at heart).
This matches temporary vs. permanent in this case, but don't think of it that way
Está roto y no es posible arreglarlo. It is broken and it is not possible to fix it.
It is still estar- as things are not broken when they are how they should be, it is just a state it is in.
Está muerto- he is dead. Not the normal characteristic of a person, so it is estar, even though permanent
Plátanos son amarillos- that is how they should be, even if they are only for a short period between green and black (both of which get estar, because by defnition bananas are yellow- it is how they are).
So bottom line is it a characteristic of him, or a state he is in. It allows a nice nuance by the choice in this case.
You can use either estar or ser, depending on the desired nuance.
Cada año nuevo después de las navidades cuando se me cae un botón desde mi chaleco, me pregunto si sólo estoy gordo o si al fin soy gordo... Menos mal puedo comprar un nuevo chaleco más grande...
Tú eres gordo y yo estoy gordo. You are fat and I am fat (right now, but I am going to change). jajaja.
It should be él es gordo
