Just want to let you know that I find your Daily Spanish Phrases course fantastic! No books, no tapes, no need to schedule study time...it's the most convenient way to learn a language ever invented. With the DSP translated phrases course, you learn very quickly how to say all those Spanish phrases you need for effective communication. And, it's done in such an entertaining way! My Spanish speaking friends are impressed with my progress and so am I! THANK YOU!
I am English and live in Spain. I spoke Spanish up to a certain level, but because of the complicated verb tenses, the grammar and lack of time to study, I got stuck and couldn't make more progress. Your daily phrases did the miracle...your easy system has allowed me to finally master the subjunctive and past tenses used in your level D course. Now I'm confident speaking Spanish fluently in all the tenses. I'm recommending Daily Spanish Phrases to all my friends who want to learn Spanish. Just wonderful!
After years of studying Spanish in high school and college, I still struggled with it. When I came across this course I was totally impressed with how little time and money it took for me to speak the Spanish language. Your translated conjugated verbs got me over my barrier. I've never seen THAT in any Spanish course! I got so much value for my money and now I can FINALLY SPEAK SPANISH without ever having stepped in a classroom! Well done, your method is great! GRACIAS!
It seems like this course has been designed especially for me! I always avoided studying languages in school and I’m not the most disciplined person, so I never was able to persevere and learn basic Spanish. Now I receive your Spanish phrases daily and I am learning Spanish almost without realising it. My curiosity to learn more and more -- how you say this, how you say that -- is now my real drive that will get me through to level D. The fact that I could interrupt my lessons during my holiday was great! I really love your system and I have recommended it to my friends.
I live in Sweden and travel a lot to Spain, and I can't tell you how happy I am that somebody finally invented a way to study Spanish without books, cassettes or having to go to a school. Since I work in a company, I don't have much time to study, and your daily Spanish phrases that I receive in my email and study every evening at home are the answer to my time problem. Learning Spanish through the internet is indeed THE solution for us busy people.
I really like the flexibility that the Daily Spanish Phrases course offers. I can always count on the lessons arriving as scheduled and can study when time permits. The audio works extremely well and the lessons are very practical. Much better than a classroom format! My Spanish is definitely improving.
Your course has caused me only one problem: I've become addicted to receiving new phrases every day! I think that your system is really the most enjoyable one for learning a language; I can't wait to open my new lesson every day and get a kick out of studying your Spanish phrases. To be applauded at the end of each lesson is such a fun incentive. I am surprised how well I can already speak Spanish even though I started from scratch. It's effective, cheap, comfortable and convenient!
A big thank you goes to Daily Spanish Phrases. It was exactly what I needed to get me to start speaking in Spanish. The phrases were very practical and the translated conjugations were really the breakthrough that I needed. Listening to the pronunciation of each sentence was also a big help. Finally, a system that gave me the daily vocabulary I needed to be able to speak with confidence.
I was a total beginner and this course has allowed me to go at my own pace. I felt more relaxed which helped me retain the information a lot better and I can't wait to start Level B!
Comparing Ser and Estar
23. Comparing Ser and Estar
The Spanish verbs ser and estar both mean to be in English.
Here are some examples:
Another way to contrast ser and estar is to think of estar as describing:
Here are some examples:
Study how the meanings of the following adjectives change, depending on whether they're used with ser or estar:
Sometimes the reason for choosing ser or estar is very obvious, and at other times, very subtle. Learn the above rules, and observe how they are applied when you read or listen to Spanish.
The Spanish verbs ser and estar both mean to be in English.
- Ser talks about the essential characteristics of a person, place, thing or concept (nouns), while
Estar talks about a condition or location that a person, place, thing or concept (nouns) is in.
Here are some examples:
- La plaza es pequeña pero preciosa.
The town square is small, but lovely. (The town square's size and beauty are part of its essential characteristics.)
La plaza está en el centro del pueblo, y está muy limpia.
The garden is in the town centre, and is very clean. (Location -- the town centre -- and condition -- clean).
Another way to contrast ser and estar is to think of estar as describing:
- a result of a change from a former condition or
a subjective comparison with a standard that is described using ser.
Here are some examples:
- La plaza del pueblo es preciosa, pero con las farolas nuevas, está más preciosa que nunca.
The town square is lovely (essential characteristic), but with the new streetlights, it is (it looks, it seems) more lovely than ever (a result of a change, compared with before).
El helado es siempre bueno, pero este helado casero está absolutamente delicioso.
Ice cream is always good (the standard -- essential characteristic), but this homemade ice cream is (tastes) absolutely delicious (compared to the standard).
Paco es muy hablador, sin embargo, en este momento está callado.
Paco is a talker (essential characteristic), nevertheless, at the moment he is quiet (compared to his normal condition -- essential characteristic).
Here are the forms for to be, ser and estar when speaking in the present (the present indicative tense). These are two of the most important verbs in Spanish, so make it your priority to memorise them.
| TO BE | SER | ESTAR |
| I am | yo soy | yo estoy |
| you are (informal) | tú eres | tú estás |
| he/she is you are (formal) | él/ella es usted es | él/ella está usted está |
| we (masculine/feminine) are | nosotros/nosotras somos | nosotros/nosotras estamos |
| you-all (masculine/feminine) are (informal) | vosotros/vosotras sois | vosotros/vosotras estáis |
| they (masculine/feminine) are you-all are (formal) | ellos/ellas son ustedes son | ellos/ellas están ustedes están |
Study how the meanings of the following adjectives change, depending on whether they're used with ser or estar:
| with ser | with estar | |
| aburrido | boring | bored |
| bueno | good | delicious (food) |
| callado | quiet, silent type; doesn't talk much | quiet in this moment |
| cansado | tiresome | tired |
| feliz | of a happy nature | happy in this moment |
| listo | quick-thinking, clever | ready |
| maduro | mature | ripe |
| malo | bad | ill |
| rico | rich | delicious (food) |
Sometimes the reason for choosing ser or estar is very obvious, and at other times, very subtle. Learn the above rules, and observe how they are applied when you read or listen to Spanish.
Spanish Grammar | Spanish Cognates | Testimonials | FAQs | Tell a Friend
Contact Us | Fast Translation Service | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Site Map
Links | Our Banners
© Idiomas City, S.L. 2005-2007
www.dailyspanishphrases.com: The best online course to study Spanish at home or abroad!