Grammar · Verbs
ser and estar
Two verbs for the English to be, and the rule that actually works.
ser says what something is. estar says where it is, or how it is doing. That split holds where permanent against temporary does not, because a building is permanent and still takes estar for its location.
Examples
Ana es doctora
Ana is a doctor
identity, so ser
Ana está cansada
Ana is tired
a current state, so estar
el banco está en la plaza
the bank is in the square
location always takes estar
la sopa es fría
the soup is a cold soup by nature
ser changes the meaning: la sopa está fría means it has gone cold
Watch out
Using ser for location because a building does not move. Location is estar, without exception.
Grammar sticks when you use it
The 90 day course introduces each of these in a sentence you would actually say, one short lesson at a time. Days 1 to 7 need no account.
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