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"Estar triste" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be sad", and "ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "estar triste" and "ser" below.
estar triste(
ehs
-
tahr
trees
-
teh
)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 sad
Begoña está triste porque ayer se murió su gato.Begoña is sad because her cat died yesterday.
b. to feel sad
Cuando estoy triste, lo único que me levanta el ánimo es un buen libro.When I feel sad, the only thing that cheers me up is a good book.
c. to feel blue (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No me extraña que estés triste con este tiempo que está haciendo.I'm not surprised you feel blue with this weather we're having.
d. to feel down (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A veces está triste sin motivo aparente. Creo que tiene un poco de depresión.Sometimes he feels down for no apparent reason. I think he's a bit depressed.
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).
