Ser and Estar:

Question

Ok, This is a bit of a theoretical question.

I have been reading these forums and come across questions concerning the use of ser and estar, for example when to use "dónde es" or "dónde está". To which many replies try to explain that one form is correct or not.

Now, if I'm getting this right, can you not always use "ser" or "estar" with any word. For example, "yo soy Jeff" y "yo estoy Jeff" are both correct.

Yes they do convery completely different meanings but isn't the issues of the use of ser or estar ALWAYS a question of the meaning wanting to be given my the person using the verb, and this in turn always comes down to the fundamental difference between ser and estar?

Welcome to SpanishDict, Jeff. Please take a moment to complete your profile. This is a great help to members when answering your questions. Thanks. - rac1, Jan 22, 2016

If yu' are Jeff, only for the purpose of a game, it might possibly, just finatly be possible, to use estar, butI doubt it. - annierats, Jan 22, 2016

A vote from me for filling out your profile. And you live in Mexico! Good to have you here. - Jubilado, Jan 22, 2016

Answer 1

The use of ser and estar is not a matter of nuance as you suggest, but a matter of ser indicating the nature of something and estar indicating a state of being.

Using your example, "Yo estoy Jeff" means that you are in a state / situation of being Jeff, which sounds completely ridiculous. "Yo soy Jeff" indicates something about your nature, as in your name, so this is the only way to say it.

Hey Jules, firstly I am not talking about nunce. to explain this, lets take your answer. So what you are saying is that in "No context under the Sun" the phrase "Estoy Jeff" can never have true meaning? That my friend is BS - JeffG, Jan 22, 2016

@ JeffG: JulianChivi is a native Spanish speaker. There is no reason for you to be so rude to him or anyone on this forum. No doubt you will be hearing from a moderator. This is a learning site, not an ersatz Facebook. - Jubilado, Jan 22, 2016

or to put my question in a more understandable form when someone asks is "soy Jeff" or "estoy Jeff" correct, What is actually being asked is, in normal context should I use "soy Jeff". - JeffG, Jan 22, 2016

Assuming that you are Jeff, yes. - annierats, Jan 22, 2016

@JeffG. Please see you pm. - rac1, Jan 22, 2016

Answer 2

Hola,

Bienvenido/a a Spanishdict.

Before you can get an appropriate answer from a member, you need to:

(1) Before posting, read the three guidelines at the top of the question box That will talk about, trying the translator, looking up older posts that have similar information, and that we don’t do homework. We do correct if you will post an effort.

(2) Fill out your profile. It’s not only the courteous thing to do, but will let the members know what your gender is, and what your levels of English and Spanish are. If English or Spanish is not your native language we have to know this. This will enable us to frame answers appropriate to your needs.

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Now with that having been said, here is a link to my thread on the subject which you would have found had you looked for it. It has everything you could ever want to know about ser/estar and maybe a little more. And it is written with much simplicity and clarity. I wish you much good luck in your study of the Beautiful Spanish language.

A simple outline on the uses of ser and estar

Mods: Maybe one of you could "bump" up this thread, as there seems to be a need. - Daniela2041, Jan 22, 2016

See what I did? Thanks for that, I was going to reference it myself. - Jubilado, Jan 22, 2016