WHEN "SER" IS OBLIGATORY
|
Below are the instances when we have to use "ser" |
| with an adjective to express a permanent or inherent quality | |
| El azúcar es dulce |
sugar is sweet |
| mi padre es calvo | my father is bald |
| mis hermanas son altas | my sisters are tall |
| for occupations and nationality | |
| Son italianos |
they are Italian |
| Pablo es español | Pablo is Spanish |
| Es profesor | She is a teacher |
| with nouns or pronouns | |
| es un coche |
it is a car |
| son niñas | they are girls |
| somos nosotros | it's us |
| ¿Eres John? | Are you John? |
| with possessions | |
| es mio |
it is mine |
| son de Pedro | they are Pedro's |
| este es mi libro | this is my book |
| with time, dates and numbers | |
| son las seis |
it is 6 o'clock |
| dos y tres son cinco | two and three are five |
| Es el 21 de diciembre | it is 21st December |
| la temperatura es de 20 grados | it is 20 degrees |
| with events | |
when there is an event or an occasion such as a party we use "ser" even though we may seem to be indicating position which is usually with "estar" |
|
| La fiesta es en casa de Susana | The party is in Susana's house |
| with passive constructions | |
Although it is not as common as in English there is a Spanish equivalent of the English passive. |
|
| fue construido en 1800 | it was built in 1800 |
| el cuadro fue robado | The picture was stolen |
| when speaking about what something is made of | |
| esos zapatos son de plástico | those shoes are (made of) plastic |
| es de oro | it's made of gold |
| with "how much / many?" | |
| ¿cuánto es? | How much is it? (asking about the price) |
| ¿cuántos son? | How many are there? |