Use of Estar

Larry F.A2Kwiziq community member

Use of Estar

In an example above you say, "Ellos estan delgados". I thought SER was used to describe physical characteristics i.e. "El es alto." To say Ellos estan delgados would imply they are thin now but they didn't used to be thin. Or that they appear thin. Or am I wrong?

Asked 5 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Larry

Yes, you are right. When we say: 

Ellos están delgados.

this implies that it is a "result", for example, they have gone on a diet and as a result they became thinner.

Or sometimes it can imply an element of surprise:

Marta, ¡qué delgada estás!

As a common example I can mention this typical sentence that we say to other people's children:

Tus hijos están muy altos.

This is something that you realise when you haven't seen your friends' kids for some time and you express surprise at their change. 

If we were using all these sentences with ser, not estar, then we'd be expressing a permanent quality. 

I hope this helps,

Un saludo

Inma

Larry F.A2Kwiziq community member

Inma,

I don't think explaining that Ser has a permanent quality and Estar doesn't is helpful since that is not always the case.

InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hi Larry

And I do agree with you in not going to the general rule about ser and estar for either permanent or non-permanent. This is why I explained the specific usage of estar in that case (result/surprise), but as a contrast to that case (estar delgado/ser delgado) I thought it was worth mentioning that if you change the verb to "ser" then you are talking about a permanent characteristic of a person without bearing in mind whether that person was thin before or not. We have a basic lesson on A1 about using "ser" to describe something/someone's permanent/essential characteristic. We have this basic lesson at the beginning of our content because this is the type of sentence you learn when using the verb "ser". Then you move on and learn about other specific uses of both verbs "ser" and "estar". We have lots of different specific lessons about these verbs without going into the general permanent/non-permanent. 

Here is a list of them:

Estar when talking about locations

Estar for physical condition

Estar when talking about feelings and emotions

Ser to describe relationships

Ser to express essential characteristics

Ser to express origin or nationality

I hope this helps,

Saludos

Inma

Use of Estar

In an example above you say, "Ellos estan delgados". I thought SER was used to describe physical characteristics i.e. "El es alto." To say Ellos estan delgados would imply they are thin now but they didn't used to be thin. Or that they appear thin. Or am I wrong?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
I'll be right with you...