To say when something takes place we use the verb ser this way:
La reunión es a las siete y media.
The meeting is at seven thirty.
La fiesta de Javier es esta noche.
Javier's party is tonight.
Los fuegos artificiales son a las doce en punto.
The fireworks are at twelve o'clock precisely.
In a similar way we use the verb ser to say where something takes place:
El concierto de Ariana Grande es en el auditorio.
The Ariana Grande concert is in the auditorium.
La exposición de arte moderno es en el Museo Nacional.
The modern art exhibition is in the National Museum.
El entierro es en el cementerio de su pueblo.
The burial is at his village cemetery.
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
La fiesta de Javier es esta noche.
Javier's party is tonight.
El entierro es en el cementerio de su pueblo.
The burial is at his village cemetery.
El concierto de Ariana Grande es en el auditorio.
The Ariana Grande concert is in the auditorium.
Los fuegos artificiales son a las doce en punto.
The fireworks are at twelve o'clock precisely.
La exposición de arte moderno es en el Museo Nacional.
The modern art exhibition is in the National Museum.
La reunión es a las siete y media.
The meeting is at seven thirty.
Margaret
Kwiziq community member
31 May 2018
2 replies
Esta
Does "Esta" not indicate location? In the lesson and examples, it seems that "ser" is used to denote location? Am I incorrect in this?
Inma
Kwiziq language super star
1 June 2018
1/06/18
Hola Margaret,
Yes, you are right, "estar" indicates location, as in "María está en la playa" (María is at the beach) or "Birmingham está en el centro de Inglaterra" (Birmingham is in the centre of England) but to say "where events take place" we use "ser". It is a more specific use. It would sound a bit odd to say "¿Dónde está la fiesta? as we consider "una fiesta" to be an event, so we would say "¿Dónde es la fiesta?.
I hope this helps.
Inma
Margaret
Kwiziq community member
1 June 2018
1/06/18
Thank you, Inma. Your r eply does help me to understand the difference in usage of "Ser" and "Esta." I appreciate your help.
Margaret