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"Ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be", and "estar muerto" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be dead". Learn more about the difference between "ser" and "estar muerto" below.
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).
estar muerto(
ehs
-
tahr
mwehr
-
toh
)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 dead
Cuando la ambulancia llegó al hospital, el hombre ya estaba muerto.When the ambulance arrived at the hospital, the man was already dead.
2. (colloquial) (to be very tired)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to be exhausted
Conseguí acabar el maratón, pero después estaba muerto.I managed to finish the marathon, but I was exhausted afterward.
b. to be dead (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Estoy muerto después de ese entrenamiento.I'm dead after that workout!
c. to be pooped (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
¡Que día más largo! ¡Estoy muerta!That was a long day! I'm pooped!
d. to be knackered (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¡Estoy muerto después de esa caminata!I'm knackered after that walk!
