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"Ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be", and "allí" is an adverb which is often translated as "there". Learn more about the difference between "ser" and "allí" below.
ser(
sehr
)
A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
copular verb
a. to be
Es alto y rubio.He's tall and blond.
Mi abuela es profesora.My grandma is a teacher.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to be
Soy de Nueva York.I'm from New York.
a. to be
El lápiz es para escribir, no para lanzar.Pencils are for writing, not for throwing.
a. to be
¿Cuánto es el total? - Son diez dólares.How much does it come to? - It's ten dollars.
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 be
Este reloj es de mi madre.This watch is my mother's.
a. to be
La fiesta será en mi casa.The party will be at my place.
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.).
impersonal verb
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.).
auxiliary verb
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).
masculine noun
a. being
Hay un ser vivo en el lago, pero no sé qué es.There's a living being in the lake, but I don't know what it is.
a. person
Su papá es un ser muy agradable.Her dad is a very nice person.
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allí(
ah
-
yee
)
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. there
Pon los libros allí en la mesa, por favor.Put the books there on the table, please.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Allí fue cuando se dio cuenta de que podía cambiar.That's when he realized he could change.
Hasta allí llegamos, pero ese día cambió todo entre nosotras.We were ok up to then, but that day everything changed between us.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.