Ser o Estar? Classroom Jobs

Question

I am a teacher and the students have different jobs each week. The jobs include: líder de la fila, electrista, mensajero, etc.

Would I say Eres el líder de la fila esta semana. o Estás el líder de la fila esta semana. I am thinking estás because they will not have that job forever.

¡Ayúdenme por favor!

Answer 1

Hello Vmigos

Welcome to the SpanishDict forum )

You said/ asked:

I am a teacher and the students have different jobs each week. The jobs include: líder de la fila, electrista, mensajero, etc. Would I say Eres el líder de la fila esta semana. o Estás el líder de la fila esta semana. I am thinking estás because they will not have that job forever. ¡Ayúdenme por favor! smileI am a teacher and the students have different jobs each week. The jobs include: líder de la fila, electrista, mensajero, etc. Would I say Eres el líder de la fila esta semana. o Estás el líder de la fila esta semana. I am thinking estás because they will not have that job forever.¡Ayúdenme por favor! smile

This is a topic that often trips up even the most dedicated students. You always use the verb ser in Spanish to denote characteristics and occupations whereas estar is used for temporary states or conditions. The permenant vs temporary guideline which some peeople use too strictly as a rule and so can be very misleading and can cause confusion when over-applied (over-extended).

I would recommend that you listen to Paralee's mini teaching video in which she outlines ways you can easily remember when to use ser in preference to estar. Here is the link! enter link description here

I would therefore say: Eres el lider de la fila

I hope this helps

Best answer by far amigo. - Nickelbackfan1, Apr 15, 2016

I'll back you up on that. - Daniela2041, Apr 15, 2016

I'm glad that Nickelbackfan1 gave the link to my article. - Daniela2041, Apr 15, 2016

Muchas gracias, amigas :) - FELIZ77, Apr 15, 2016

thank you so much!! - vmigos, Apr 27, 2016

Answer 2

Hola , amiga

I would use Estar because not only does it translate to "you are the leader of this row this week", Estar is also used for location instead of ser which is used for characteristics of a person place or thing.

Ser and Estar.

Hola, amiga. Thanks for putting up the link to my article. However you missed the point. "Leader" is a sort of occupation, so "eres" is proper here. Also "Ser" is used for characteristics, and "estar" for "conditios." - Daniela2041, Apr 15, 2016

Typo--conditions. - Daniela2041, Apr 15, 2016

Answer 3

Thank you all!!!

A good review you provided since this gets asked about over and over. I find myself over analyzing it sometimes, too. Hurray for teachers! - Jubilado, Apr 27, 2016