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"Estar seguro" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be safe", and "ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "estar seguro" and "ser" below.
estar seguro(
ehs
-
tahr
seh
-
goo
-
roh
)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.).
a. to be safe
Construyeron refugios antiatómicos donde la población podía estar segura.They built nuclear shelters where the population could be safe.
a. to be sure
Esta es la forma correcta de hacerlo. - ¿Estás segura?This is the right way to do it. - Are you sure?
a. to be confident
Jim estaba muy seguro de sí mismo, pero yo no veía las cosas tan claras como él.Jim was very self-confident, but I didn't see things as clearly as he did.
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).
