2.21 Describe people, use ser and estar

Vocab test

  1. Estudioso/a – Studious
  2. Rubio/a – Blond/e
  3. Guapo/a – Handsome/ Good looking
  4. Alto/a – Tall
  5. Joven – Young
  6. Perezoso/a – Lazy
  7. Cansado/a – Tired
  8. Sorprendido/a – Surprised
  9. Enfermo/a – Ill
  10. Contento/a – Happy

Verb of the day

Conjugate the verb ENCONTRARSE (To meet/ To find oneself) in the present tense.

YoNosotros
Vosotros
Él/ Ella/ UstedEllos/ Ellas/ Ustedes

Questions to answer

Translation tool

1. ¿Tu mejor amigo es rubio?

2. ¿Tus padres están enojados?

3. ¿Por qué ellas están preocupadas?

4. ¿Los chicos están nerviosos en la clase?

5. ¿Dónde están los camareros?

6. ¿Los camareros son guapos?

7. ¿Tú eres muy perezoso/a?

8. ¿El coche de tu madre es amarillo?

A simple dialogue

Use the Spanish phrases to translate the English dialogue.  Write it out and perform it.

  • What is your brother like?
  • He is twenty two years old.  He is intelligent and funny.
  • Why is he tired?
  • He works a lot, and he likes to party.
  • What does he look like?
  • He is quite tall.  He is blond and he is good-looking (like me!)
  • How will I recognise him?
  • He has a big suitcase.  It is yellow. 
  • What time is he going to arrive?
  • His flight arrives at six.  There is a café called Los Morenos.  It is a small café, and it is next to arrivals.  You can meet him there.

Use these phrases to translate the dialogue.

¿A qué hora va a llegar?

¿Cómo es tu hermano?

¿Cómo lo reconoceré?

¿Por qué está cansado?

¿Cómo es físicamente?

Es bastante alto.  Es rubio y guapo (¡como yo!)

Su vuelo llega a las seis.  Hay una cafetería que se llama Los Morenos.  Es una cafetería pequeña y está al lado de la zona de llegadas.  Puedes encontrarte con él allí.

Tiene una maleta grande.  Es amarilla. 

Tiene veintidós años.  Es inteligente y divertido.

Trabaja mucho y le gusta salir de fiesta.

Choose from a range of voices to read your dialogue here.

Grammar notes

* Read this information, then use it to quiz a friend.

SER AND ESTAR

In Spanish, both ser and estar mean to be, but they have different uses. 

  • Ser: yo soy, tú eres, él/ ella/ usted es, nosotros somos, vosotros sois, ellos/ ellas/ ustedes son
  • Estar: yo estoy, tú estás, él/ ella/ usted está, nosotros estamos, vosotros estáis, ellos/ ellas/ ustedes están

USES

SerEstar
Identity or inherent characteristics (things that don’t change easily)Temporary conditions or states (things that can change quickly)
Origin or nationalityEmotions or moods
Occupation or rolesLocation
Time and datesOngoing actions (with gerunds … -ing words)
Relationships 
Descriptions of physical appearance or personality 

EXAMPLES

  • El concierto es mañana = The concert is tomorrow.  With time expressions, ser is used.
  • Él es guapo = He is good-looking.  Describing someone’s physical appearance.
  • Ella es divertida = She is funny.  Permanent personality trait.
  • Ella es rubia = She is blond.  Physical appearance is usually seen as permanent.
  • Ella está enferma hoy = She is sick today.  Temporary health condition.
  • Ellos están ocupados ahora = They are busy right now.  Temporary condition.
  • Estamos sorprendidos con la noticia! = We are surprised by the news!  Reaction/emotion, usually temporary.
  • ¿La tienda está abierta?   No, está cerrada = Is the shop open?  No, it’s closed.  Abierta and cerrada are temporary conditions, so we use estar.
  • La tienda está en la esquina = The shop is on the corner.  Use estar with locations, even if they don’t change.
  • Mi abuelo es viejo y yo soy joven = My grandfather is old, and I am young.  Describes age, usually treated as a more permanent state.
  • Mi hermano es un poco perezoso = My brother is a bit lazy.  Permanent characteristic.

Suggested grammar lesson.

Journal prompts

Write short sentences.  Keep them as simple as you can.

Use a translation tool to put them into Spanish.

Write them out, then check them with your teacher.  Present them to a friend, teaching your friend any new Spanish, and making sure they learn it!

What emotions are you experiencing right now?
What do you say to a friend when he is feeling sad?
Write down three things that you are grateful for, and say why you like them.
¿Qué emociones estás experimentando en este momento?
¿Qué le dices a un amigo cuando se siente triste?
Escribe tres cosas por las que estás agradecido/a y explica por qué te gustan.

Next lesson: 2.22 Talk about likes

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