SPN 101: Ser and Estar Ejercicios

Spanish Language Grammar: Ser/Estar

The verb SER and ESTAR mean ‘to be’ in English. In using these two verbs in Spanish, you are being asked to separate into categories various ways of being. The simplest dichotomy to be made is to mention that SER is used in enduring, fixed situations, while ESTAR is used in short-term, temporary situations. These are the conjugations:
Yo SOY (I am), tú ERES (You are), usted, él, ella ES (You singular, he, she IS); nosotros SOMOS (we ARE), vosotros SOIS (you plural Spain You are) ustedes/ellos SON (You plural/they ARE)
YO ESTOY (I am), tú ESTáS (You are), usted, él, ella ESTá (You singular, he, she IS); nosotros ESTAMOS (we ARE), vosotros ESTáIS (you plural Spain You are), ustedes/ellos ESTáN (you plural, they ARE).

Situations in which SER is used
Origin: Larry es de Lewisport, KY; Relationships: Ellos son mis padres, Ella es mi amiga; Physical Attributes: Carlos es alto; Personality characteristics: Miranda es simpática; Posession: Esta es mi casa; Profession: Mi papá es empleado en Walmart; Identification: Este es mi libro; Date and Time: Mañana es sábado; ¿Qué hora es? Son las….Es la..; Nationality: Fernando es japonés, Esperanza y Elena son salvadoreñas; Natural color: Mi amor es rojo.

Ejercicio 1. Translate these sentences into Spanish.
1. Where are you from? 2. Who is she? 3. How is Valentina (physically, físicamente)? 4. How is your mother in her personality (personalidad)? 5. Whose book is this?

Situations in which ESTAR is used
Location: Estamos en la biblioteca (library); Mood: Estoy triste; Ella está de buen/mal humor (good/bad humor); Physical condition: Ella está enferma (sick); Result of action: Estoy sentado (I am seated), Ahora estoy parado (Now I am standing); Unnatural color or condition: El cielo está gris (gray); La nieve está amarilla (The snow is yellow); Going from the general to the particular: Este café está buenísimo (This coffee is very good).

Ejercicio 2. Translate these sentences into Spanish.
1. Where are you? 2. Jorge is sleepy (con sueño); 3. The sky is white; 4. Maria is standing next to the door. 5. They are in the cafeteria.