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"Ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be", and "no ser" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "not to be". Learn more about the difference between "ser" and "no ser" 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).
no ser(
noh
sehr
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. not to be
Este cuchillo es el del pescado, no es para cortar carne.This is the fish knive. It's not for cutting meat.
a. not to be made of
Este abrigo es sintético, no es de piel.This coat is synthetic. It's not made of fur.
a. not to be
No sé de quién son esos libros, pero no son míos.I don't know whose those books are, but they're not mine.
a. not to be
La reunión no será en la oficina del director, sino en la sala de juntas.The meeting won't be at the director's office, but at the boardroom.
a. not to be
No son las 12 am, es la 1 pm. ¿No sabías que ayer adelantamos los relojes?It's not 12 am. It's 1 pm. Didn't you know that the clocks went forward yesterday?
a. not to be
Esta catedral no fue construida en el siglo XVII, es mucho más antigua.This cathedral wasn't built in the 17th century. It's much older.
a. not to root for
Yo no soy del Barça, ni tampoco del Real Madrid.I don't root for Barça, neither do I root for Real Madrid.
