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"Ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be", and "estar bien" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be fine". Learn more about the difference between "ser" and "estar bien" 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 bien(
ehs
-
tahr
byehn
)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 fine
Todo parece estar bien con sus documentos, señor.Everything seems to be fine with your documents, sir.
b. to be OK
Te prometo que dentro de poco todo va a estar bien.I promise you that in no time everything will be OK.
c. to be all right
No te preocupes por mí, voy a estar bien.Don't worry about me, I'll be all right.
a. to be right
Pensé que las medidas estaban bien, pero el sofá no cupo en la sala.I thought the measurements were right, but the sofa didn't fit into the living room.
b. to be correct
"El resultado está bien, pero ¿cómo lo obtuviste?" dijo el profesor."The result is correct, but how did you come to it?" said the teacher.
a. to be well
Después de meses de tratamiento, Melissa por fin está bien.After months of treatment, Melissa is finally well.
a. to get along
Ana y yo estuvimos peleadas, pero ya estamos bien.Ana and I had a fight, but we're getting along now.
