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"Si" is a form of "si", a conjunction which is often translated as "if". "Él/ella/usted es" is a form of "ser", a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "si" and "él/ella/usted es" below.
si(
see
)
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
conjunction
a. if
Si llueve mañana, cancelaremos el picnic.If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
a. whether
Preguntó si me estaba divirtiendo.He asked whether I was enjoying myself.
b. if
Paco quiere saber si Laura también va a asistir.Paco wants to know if Laura is also going to attend.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. B
Primero lo oí en si menor.I first heard it played in B minor.
b. ti (solfége)
Practiquemos las escalas en orden inverso: do, si, la...Let's practice scales in reverse order: do, ti, la...
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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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