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"Estar de moda" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be in fashion", and "ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "estar de moda" and "ser" below.
estar de moda(
ehs
-
tahr
deh
moh
-
dah
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to be in fashion
En aquel entonces estaba de moda estar bronceado.Being tan was in fashion in those days.
b. to be fashionable
Estos zapatos son muy incómodos; solo me los pongo porque están de moda.These shoes are very uncomfortable; I only wear them because they are fashionable.
c. to be trendy
Está de moda entre los famosos comer en restaurantes baratos.Eating in cheap restaurants is trendy among celebrities.
d. to be in (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Este año los tonos neutros están de moda.This year neutral shades are in.
ser(
sehr
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be made of
El casillero antiguo de mi abuela es de roble.My grandma's antique dresser is made of oak.
a. to root for
Yo soy del mejor equipo del mundo: FC Barcelona.I root for the best team in the world: FC Barcelona.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
a. to be
Son las siete de la mañana.It is seven in the morning.
Era de noche cuando llegaron.It was night when they arrived.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to be
El edificio fue diseñado por un equipo de arquitectos.The building was built by a team of architects.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
